Senators Introduce Legislation to Block Establishment of Federal Religious Registry
Sens. Booker, Warren, Schatz, Markey, Murray, Sanders, Leahy, Merkley, and Hirono sponsor the Protect American Families Act would prohibit creation of immigration related registry programs that classify people based on religion, race, age, gender, ethnicity, national origin, or nationality
January 5, 2017
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), joined by Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Ed Markey (D-MA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI), today announced the introduction of legislation that would block the establishment of a registry of people based on their religion, race, age, gender, ethnicity, national origin, or nationality.
“Religious freedom and freedom from discrimination are fundamental rights central to the very idea of being an American,” Sen. Booker said. “Forcing people to sign up for a registry based on their religion, race, or national origin does nothing to keep America secure. It does, however, undermine the freedom of religion guaranteed by our Constitution and promote the false notion that people of certain faiths and nationalities are inherently suspect. Our legislation would block Donald Trump and subsequent administrations from infringing on religious liberty by creating an immigration-related religious registry. Throughout our history, the United States has been a beacon of hope for those seeking religious freedom, and has taken significant steps forward to advance civil and human rights. We must ensure this legacy lasts forever into the future.”
"Targeting people based on their religion flies squarely in the face of who we are as Americans – and it makes our country less safe," Sen. Warren said. "This bill will uphold American values and ensure the federal government cannot engage in surveillance or harassment of certain immigrant groups."
“This bill reinforces the core American value that no person should be discriminated against based on their religion, origin, race, ethnicity, or nationality,” Sen. Schatz said. “In Hawai‘i, one of the most diverse states in our country, we hold this belief as being central to our strength, resilience, and prosperity.”
https://www.booker.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=515
Not one republican co-sponsor.
https://www.scribd.com/document/335802350/Protect-American-Families-Act-of-2017
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