Press Releases

Tonight, in a letter to her senior leadership, Acting Attorney General Sally Yates ordered attorneys at the Department of Justice not to defend legal challenges to President Trump’s immigration order—which bans entry into the United States to travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries and to refugees from around the world.  Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), Ranking Member of the House Committee on the Judiciary, issued the following statement in response:

“After reviewing the facts and the law, Acting Attorney General Yates reached a conclusion shared by Americans from coast to coast—President Trump’s refugee order is neither lawful nor defensible.  It is likely unconstitutional.  It is beneath the character of the United States. 

“I am deeply proud of this act of courage and patriotism.  I hope her stand serves as an example for the men and women who continue to serve in government under President Trump.

“Before the President makes any rash decisions, I would remind him that any decision to force the Acting Attorney General from her post before her successor is confirmed would leave an unacceptable gap in our law enforcement and national security capabilities.

“And to my colleagues in the Senate, I say that you now face a clear choice.  Unless the President reverses his order, a vote to confirm Senator Sessions as Attorney General is a vote for the refugee ban. 

“The American people are watching.  They have just seen an act of integrity from our Acting Attorney General.  They expect the same from you.”