Experts Available, Media Briefing: Trump’s Third Muslim Ban to Be Argued in Court, TODAY

Today a federal trial court in Maryland will hear argument on President Trump’s third attempt to institute the “Muslim Ban” promised during his presidential campaign. The previous two versions were held by courts to be unconstitutional. The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law filed suit against the ban, on behalf of six American Muslim plaintiffs for whom the order would have devastating consequences if implemented.

“The ban, if allowed to move forward, will have a tragic and personal impact on the lives of many Americans and those whom they love most,” wrote lead plaintiff and Ohio State University Lecturer Eblal Zazkok in an op-ed published today in USA Today. “Yes, the ban is contrary to the traditional American values I’ve come to love. But its damage will go far beyond contradicting our values. Real people — wives, children, siblings and parents, who might otherwise find safety in the country that saved my life — will face separation and unspeakable harm if the ban is implemented.”

Plaintiffs in Zakzok v. Trump include a father separated from his daughter, an American citizen whose wife is separated from their sick child, an American citizen whose sister could be barred from contributing to a genetic research project at a U.S. university, and more.

Brennan Center Experts, including Liberty & National Security Program Co-Director Faiza Patel and Senior Counsel Michael W. Price, are available for interview on the case and Trump’s immigration policy.

Arguments are held today, October 16, at 2 PM EST at the U.S. District Court in Maryland, 6500 Cherrywood Lane, Greenbelt, MD. Additional information is available here.

Immediately after the argument, groups bringing the cases against the travel ban, including the Brennan Center, Council on American-Islamic Relations, ACLU, International Refugee Assistance Project, Iranian Americans Across Borders, Muslim Advocates, National Immigration Law Center, and Yemeni American Merchants Association, will hold a media briefing in the plaza in front of the courthouse.

To schedule an interview or for more information, contact Naren Daniel at (646) 292–8381 or naren.daniel@nyu.edu.

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