Press Releases
House Judiciary Committee Passes NO BAN Act & Access to Counsel Act
Washington,
April 14, 2021
Washington, D.C. - Today, the House Judiciary Committee passed H.R. 1333, the National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants (NO BAN) Act and H.R. 1573, the Access to Counsel Act of 2021, sending the legislation to the House floor. The full House of Representatives is expected to vote on the bills next week. “I am proud the Judiciary Committee passed the NO BAN Act and the Access to Counsel Act, legislation that prevents future Muslim bans and protects due process,” said House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY). “Immediately after the Muslim Ban was issued by former President Trump, I went to JFK Airport to assist individuals who would only learn that they were subject to the ban when they landed on U.S. soil. The situation I encountered was chaotic and heartbreaking. I am grateful that President Biden acted on day one to rescind this ban, and with our action today, we are making clear that no President has the authority to reinstate this heinous policy.” “While President Biden rightfully rescinded the former President’s attempt to recklessly rewrite our immigration laws on Day One of his presidency, Congress should still take actions to prevent similar violations from ever happening again and to protect due process,” said Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship Chair Zoe Lofgren (D-CA). “Today, the House Judiciary Committee asserted that no President—Democratic or Republican—should be able to usurp congressional authority, and that no one should be denied justice in America.” “I am proud that the Judiciary Committee has passed my Access to Counsel Act as we urgently reverse course after four cruel years in which a xenophobic Trump Administration stripped basic civil rights and civil liberties away from individuals solely because of the color of their skin, their religion, the language they speak, or their country of origin,” said Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA). "I look forward to continuing our work to pass the Access to Counsel Act in Congress and ensure that U.S. citizens, green card holders, and other individuals with legal status have the right to call a lawyer, consult with an attorney, and receive assistance if they are ever detained by Customs and Border Protection." Background: |