This statement can be attributed to Olivia Golden, executive director of the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP).

Today, the Trump administration stepped up its relentless attacks on immigrants, refugees and communities of color by announcing an expansion of the deeply harmful Muslim travel ban. This time, they have targeted primarily black and Muslim populations in six countries, including several major African nations – Nigeria, Eritrea, Tanzania, Sudan, Kyrgystan and Myanmar. Banning immigration from these countries is just another shameful example of this administration’s racist and xenophobic attitude toward families and children of color who are often fleeing from violence and persecution in their countries. Using this travel ban tactic reinforces what we already know about the Trump administration’s anti-immigration strategy and its deep-seated animus for communities of color. This expansion of the travel ban is another example of policy changes and immigration rules that are full of hateful and harmful rhetoric.

CLASP will continue to stand with immigrants and refugees, and our partners who serve them. We will continue to work closely with advocacy and legal partners at the federal, state and local levels to push back on this and other destructive proposals.