Press Release

Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA) spoke today at a press conference spotlighting the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court upholding President Trump's travel ban and the families across America that have been negatively impacted.

"President's Trump travel ban is not who we are as a country – it does not represent the values that make America great," said Rep. Bera. "I am motivated to act by the stories in my district, where families have been separated and lives have been thrown into chaos due to the President's actions. We must continue to shine a spotlight on the human impact of this reckless and ill-thought through policy."

Joining in the press conference was Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), and leading advocacy and legal groups.

One year ago, the United States Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to uphold President Trump's travel ban, an executive order which restricts citizens from five Muslim majority countries – plus North Korea and Venezuela – from coming to the U.S. on immigrant and nonimmigrant visas.

Rep. Bera has signed onto H.R. 2214, the NO BAN Act, which repeals the three versions of President Trump's travel ban and strengthens the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion.

As Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Rep. Bera is reviewing the Administration's actions regarding the visa waiver program, a way for visitors to come to the U.S. if they met three criteria: the applicant must show they would suffer "undue hardship" if not allowed to enter, it was in the U.S. national interest, and they didn't pose a national security threat.

WATCH: Rep. Bera tells the story of a young girl from his district who was separated from her family because of the Trump travel ban.

For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact Travis Horne (Communications Director) at travis.horne@mail.house.gov or 202-225-5716.