WASHINGTON - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, tonight condemned President Trump's planned emergency declaration to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border as an "abuse of executive authority."

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said today that Trump will sign legislation to prevent a government shutdown while at the same time declaring a national emergency to try to build the border wall.

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SEE: Trump Will Sign Spending Bill and Declare a National Emergency, Mitch McConnell Says



In response to the planned emergency declaration, CAIR said:



"CAIR condemns President Trump's planned declaration of emergency powers to construct a border wall that is primarily motivated by an anti-immigrant ideology designed to 'make America white again.' Such a declaration would be an abuse of executive authority and would immediately invite legitimate constitutional and congressional challenges.



"Refugee asylum seekers, unaccompanied children or undocumented immigrants seeking work or to reunite with their families do not constitute a 'national emergency.'"



In December, representatives of the California chapter of CAIR, along with other local and national faith leaders, were arrested at the San Diego-Tijuana border in an act of peaceful civil disobedience in support of asylum-seekers and immigrants.



SEE: CAIR-CA Representatives and Religious Leaders Arrested at the Border in Support of Asylum-Seekers, Immigrants



In November, condemned the now court blocked Trump administration rules that would have denied asylum to virtually any migrant arriving at the border and that are based on the same controversial legal justification used for Trump's "Muslim Ban."



SEE: CAIR Condemns Trump's New Use of 'Muslim Ban' Justification to Deny Asylum Rights



CAIR has witnessed an unprecedented spike in bigotry targeting American Muslims, immigrants and members of other minority groups since the election of Donald Trump as president. CAIR has repeatedly expressed concern about Islamophobic, white supremacist and racist Trump administration policies and appointments.



CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.



La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.

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