Biden endorses bill to rescind religious discrimination

Joe Biden’s administration has endorsed the passage of antidiscrimination bill to protect nonimmigrants.

This was disclosed in a White House statement issued on Tuesday April 20, 2021.

According to the statement, the bill would prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion.

“While the Administration believes that certain exercises of section 212(f) authority may be warranted under emergency circumstances, the prior Administration’s haphazard misuse of this authority highlights the need for reasonable constraints,” the statement reads.

It adds, “As the Congress continues its work on this bill, we look forward to continuing to refine these provisions.”

Since taking office, President Biden has issued Proclamations rescinding discriminatory bans on entry to the United States enacted by the previous Administration, including, most notoriously, a ban on the entry of individuals from Muslim-majority countries.

“Those bans were a stain on our national conscience and are inconsistent with our long history of welcoming people of all faiths.

“Biden stands ready to work with the Congress to adopt a solution that protects against unfair religious discrimination while also ensuring the Executive Branch has the flexibility necessary to respond to serious threats to security and public health, and emergent international crises,” the statement says.

Biden also urges the Congress to reform other aspects of the immigration system by passing the U.S. Citizenship Act.

The President’s Bill, which includes key provisions from the NO BAN Act, will provide a path to citizenship to millions of undocumented immigrants.

“It will establish a new system to responsibly manage and secure our border, bring long overdue visa reforms to keep families together and grow our economy, and address the root causes of instability and unsafe conditions causing migration from Central America,” it concludes.