In Wake Of Travel Ban Decision, Advocates Urge Illinois Anti-Registry Act Be Signed

In a 5 to 4 ruling, the US Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld President Trump's so-called travel or Muslim ban. A proposal that passed the Illinois General Assembly aims to protest that policy.

In Illinois, a proposal called the Anti-Registry Act would prevent state officials and agencies from assisting in federal efforts to collect demographic information of people based on their religion or national origin.

Fred Tsao, who's with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights said, "What this legislation does is prohibit state agencies and local governments from participating in such a registry program or sharing resources or information that would facilitate that program." ICIRR and other advocates are calling on the governor to sign the bill. The Democrat-controlled legislature has yet to forward it to his desk. That is expected to happen soon.

In a statement released from ICIRR Monday, its executive director Lawrence Benito wrote, "Today’s Supreme Court decision makes it all the more urgent for the Governor to stand against bigotry. ICIRR, which worked with our partners in the Campaign for a Welcoming Illinois to pass this bill, urges Governor Rauner to sign SB 3488 and make a strong statement against the animus that underlies the Administration’s Muslim ban."