The National Council of Churches laments the Supreme Court’s decision upholding President Trump’s “Muslim travel ban.” The NCC has opposed the ban from the beginning and has joined in amicus briefs in opposition to it. The Muslim ban is blatantly racist and by virtue of its focus on Muslims, it is contrary to principles of religious liberty.
In a 5-4 decision along partisan lines, the Supreme Court struck down a lower court judgment that temporarily halted an executive order, first issued in September 2017, indefinitely banning entry to the US of people from several Muslim-majority countries. While we disagree with the Court’s decision, we do appreciate the righting of a historical wrong by the Court’s repudiation of Korematsu v. United States, a 1944 decision affirming the mass incarceration of Japanese-Americans during World War II.
In upholding the “Muslim ban,” yesterday’s decision further isolates the United States. The NCC will continue to work closely with councils of churches from around the world in the quest for peace and justice. We affirm the biblical imperative of welcoming immigrants and refugees.