Nine Jewish organizations have joined a call supporting a bill that would prevent banning entry to the United States on the basis of religion, a step taken after GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump proposed ban on Muslims entering the U.S.
"Concerns about national security are mixing with unchecked anti-Muslim bigotry and fomenting unjust fear and scrutiny of Muslim refugees and immigrants," said the statement released Tuesday, a day before Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., is due to unveil the legislation.
The groups expressed their support for a bill announced by Virginia congressman Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) Wednesday that would make it illegal for the US to block an immigrant based on his or her religion.
The statement backing Beyer's bill was organized by Interfaith Alliance, a group directed by Rabbi Jack Moline and include umbrella bodies for the Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist movements, as well as the Anti-Defamation League, the National Council of Jewish Women, J Street, Habonim Dror, Bend the Arc Jewish Action and T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported.
"Concerns about national security are mixing with unchecked anti-Muslim bigotry and fomenting unjust fear and scrutiny of Muslim refugees and immigrants," said the statement released by the organizations Tuesday.
"Sadly, that fear has led some to call for a temporary ban on Muslims immigrating to the U.S., to propose dramatically limiting the number of refugees our nation accepts, and to pursue a host of policies designed to make life difficult for Muslims in America," the statement said. "To close our doors to Muslim immigrants and refugees in need would betray both the First Amendment and our nation's great history as an open and welcoming land."
Property billionaire Trump's own campaign for the Republican nomination has been criticized for attacks on Muslims and other minorities, including his call for Muslims to be barred from entering the U.S.
Hundreds of noted intellectuals, academics, and human rights and anti-racism activists from around the world also joined countless of Internet campaigns in condemning Trump.
