Biden’s Plan for Healing the Muslim American Community
Donald Trump’s rise to prominence was based in divisive politics that pandered to not all, but only a select few Americans who cast their vote for him in 2016. In doing so, our President has left behind minority races and faiths, using them as political pawns to further his agenda. The Muslim American community is one such minority faith group that has experienced Trump’s unwelcoming rhetoric and policy firsthand, both during his campaign and his presidency. A 2018 poll conducted by the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding found that a mere 13% of Muslim Americans approved of the Trump administration’s actions towards the Muslim American community and the country. As if calling Muslims “rapefugees” and passionately embracing a Muslim ban on immigration from Muslim majority countries wasn’t enough, Trump has proven time and time again he is willing to use the Muslim community as a scapegoat for terrorism among his base. But the question we need to ask is, what will the Biden presidency do to heal the wounds driven deep by the Trump campaign?
First and foremost, the Biden administration has sought to reaffirm the fundamental values of religious freedom in our country. This entails revoking the Muslim ban enacted by the Trump administration. Joe Biden understands that denying entry to those fleeing war and mass conflict in the Middle East due to their Muslim faith does not deter terrorism in any way. Biden also understands that the Muslim ban does not provide the economic and national security President Trump has touted. He’s stated numerous times that he will end Trump’s Muslim ban “on day 1” of his presidency, precisely the course of action the White House needs to take if they want to show their support for the Muslim community not only within the United States, but abroad. In addition to opposing the Muslim ban, Biden has vowed to go after targeted incidents of hate crime motivated by Islamaphobia by working with the Justice Department in order to end the disproportionate violence faced by the Muslim community. Furthermore, Biden intends to work with Congress in order to pass legislation with the same intent.
Moreover, through a renewed commitment to our immigration system, Biden has also vowed to increase the annual global refugee admissions cap to 125,000 in his first year as president. This contrasts greatly to the Trump administration’s minuscule 18,000 cap currently in place. In direct opposition to the Muslim ban, Biden intends to increasingly welcome refugees, many of whom are Muslims seeking asylum from war-torn living conditions in the Middle East. Backed by statistical studies that correlate such policy with increased economic productivity (and not erroneous rhetoric that our country is freely letting in terrorists), Joe Biden’s calculated approach is needed in order to restore the United States’ presence on the international stage as a safe haven for refugees.
Respecting every American regardless of gender, faith, and ethnicity is not an issue of party politics. It is not an issue of politics. It is an issue of an attack on our American ideals and an attack the Trump administration is perpetrating against the American people. A few weeks ago, Biden spoke to an outstanding Muslim organization named Emgage Action at an event with around 3,000 people. This was the first event in a long time a presidential nominee had cast aside politics regarding the Muslim community and prioritized genuine understanding. This is the leadership we need in the White House. Biden leadership.
