(CHICAGO, IL, 4/22/2020) - The Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy group, condemns the upcoming executive order suspending green card issuance announced on Twitter by President Donald Trump, which he has vowed to sign. The order calls for the suspension to “protect the U.S. job market from immigrant workers” during the Coronavirus pandemic. The suspension comes at the heels of presidential rhetoric that regularly peddles xenophobia under under the guise of concern for COVID-19.

“Immigrant-bashing is the go-to distraction for President Trump when facing tough times. In fact, as he tweets, immigrants are heavily represented among the medical workers, doctors, nurses, first-responders, pharmacists, and technicians at the forefront of fighting COVID-19 and saving lives while risking their own,” Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR-Chicago said. “Rather than vilify our immigrant workforce that is helping keep us alive, we should be recognizing and celebrate their heroic contributions to our society.”  

“This is fueling xenophobia for political gain” said CAIR-Chicago Deputy Director Sufyan Sohel. “Many essential workers including medical professionals, are immigrants. Trump’s order will further delay a green card process that is already cumbersome while affecting thousands who want to permanently move to the United States.”

CAIR-Chicago’s Travelers Assistance Project (TAP) hotline remains open for those with travel interruptions, COVID-19 travel restrictions among them. TAP will continue to monitor the situation. The project was born in response to the first Muslim Ban in 2017. The hotline is 24/7 with legal assistance readily available. 

SEE: Travelers Assistance Project 

CAIR-Chicago is the Chicago Chapter of America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Our mission is to defend civil rights, fight bigotry, and promote tolerance. 

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CONTACT: CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab, 202-870-0166, arehab@cair.com; CAIR-Chicago Communications Coordinator Saadia Pervaiz, 312-212-1520, spervaiz@cair.com; CAIR-Chicago Communications Coordinator Hannah Faris, 312-212-1520, hfaris@cair.com