NEA statement reacting to Supreme Court ruling on Trump’s travel ban

WASHINGTON - National Education Association President Lily Eskelsen García issued the following statement in response to the United States Supreme Court ruling on Trump v. Hawaii, which leaves in place President Donald Trump’s Executive Order banning travelers and refugees from certain Muslim-majority countries.

“Educators are deeply disturbed by the Supreme Court decision to let stand Donald Trump’s inhumane Muslim ban and are saddened by the message it sends to Muslim children and their families.

“From the start, we believe his travel ban was a deliberate and coordinated attack on our core values as Americans and on those who come to our country seeking safety, freedom, and opportunity and, in the process, make America a better country.

“The Supreme Court majority seemed to think it is not the role of the court to strike down presidential action clearly motivated by anti-Muslim animus, but it is our role as educators to stand firmly against such racism and xenophobia. We oppose this ill-conceived, hateful action because it is a drastic departure from our core values.

“We don’t teach hate, we do not tell people how to pray, and we do not ban people based on their religion or country of origin. Period.

“As the Trump administration threatens our values and our way of life, we will double-down on our efforts to protect some of the world’s most vulnerable citizens.”