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Weinberg and Gordon Bill Prohibiting Port Authority from Supporting Trump Travel Ban Clears Senate

Weinberg Gordon, Liberty State Park

 

TRENTON – Bi-state legislation sponsored by Senators Loretta Weinberg and Bob Gordon to prohibit the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey – which administers both New York and New Jersey’s airports – from utilizing any of its resources in support of the enforcement of an Executive Order by President Donald Trump that effectively bans travelers to the United States from seven majority Muslim countries, was approved today by the Senate.

 

The bill was introduced in New Jersey and New York following the President’s Executive Order to halt the admittance of refugees and suspend immigration from seven countries to the United States, including green card holders, and to ban indefinitely refugees from Syria.

 

“We are encouraged the court halted the President’s travel ban, but we know the case is far from over. We cannot allow Port Authority resources to be used to enforce President Trump’s ill-advised, unconstitutional and discriminatory policy,” said Senator Weinberg (D-Bergen). “We are committed to doing all we can as legislators to protect our residents, and those who come to this great nation seeking refuge and a better life for themselves and their families. Our bill will prohibit the agency from supporting the federal effort.”

 

“We consider the President Trump’s executive order to target Muslims from seven countries, including those that have suffered the most from the rise of ISIL, to be unconstitutional, illegal and immoral,” said Senator Gordon (D-Bergen/Passaic). “It would be unconscionable for the Port Authority to in any way participate in a policy that arbitrarily discriminates against refugees and others based upon their religion or their nation of origin. This vote was a step forward in our effort to advance this legislation in both states and to see it become law.”

 

S-3006 states that no employee or officer of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey shall provide any aid, resources, assistance, or support to any federal employee or representative in enforcing the provisions of the Executive Order, nor may any resources or facilities of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey be used for such purpose.

 

The bill was approved by a vote of 22-13. It next goes to the Assembly for consideration.