The impact of Trump's Muslim ban on Yemeni-Americans

[caption align="right"][/caption]

Last Wednesday, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Trump's Muslim Ban. As CCR Legal Worker Ibraham Qatabi wrote on our blog, "countless lives lie in the balance of this decision."

CCR has been investigating the particular impact of the ban on Yemeni-Americans and their families. Last month, a team from CCR and Yale Law School traveled to Djibouti, where hundreds of Yemeni-American U.S. citizens and their children, parents, and spouses are stranded, having fled the war in Yemen and had their visa petitions reassigned to the U.S. embassy there. On their visit, the team spoke with scores of families who have been placed in the impossible position of having to leave some children behind in Djibouti while others come to the United States. Although the team found that many should have been eligible for a waiver under the Proclamation, none was given one.

Hear more about some of the families we talked to, as well as from CCR Staff Attorney Diala Shamas, on the new Al Jazeera Faultlines documentary "Between War and the Ban," and Democracy Now! (here and here).

New Jersey Muslim community celebrates victory in settlement of NYPD surveillance case

[caption align="right"][/caption]

Yesterday, CCR, along with Muslim Advocates and the law firm Gibbons, P.C., hosted a celebration of the momentous victory in Hassan V. City of New York. Earlier this month, we reached a landmark settlement with the NYPD to end unlawful surveillance practices of Muslims in New Jersey.

The afternoon was an opportunity to acknowledge the courage of the plaintiffs and members of their communities in this fight. This case would not be possible without their strength, persistence, and determination to stand up to the NYPD in a critical fight for equal protection under the Constitution. The event included remarks by CCR Staff Attorney Omar Farah, Muslim Advocates President and Executive Director Farhana Khera, and many of our clients. In addition to the remarks and celebration, we screened the short documentary film HASSAN V. NYPD, which highlights the depth and importance of the case. The film is available online to watch and share.

As the plaintiffs made clear with their remarks, now, more than ever, we must shine a light on encroachments to our rights and demand equality. It has always taken brave individuals to speak up against injustice. CCR is proud to have supported these voices and will continue to stand by communities as they fight, and win.