Dallas Rep. Rafael Anchia Files Resolution Condemning Trump's Travel Ban

AUSTIN — Rep. Rafael Anchia filed a resolution Monday condemning President Donald Trump's executive order restricting travel to the United States for citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries. Anchia, a Democrat from Dallas, described the move as "unconstitutional, un-American, unwise and unorganized." "This was not well thought out," Anchia said. "It was developed without consultation of the folks that are supposed to keep us safe, and the President really messed this up and he needs to pull it down. The Legislature of the state of Texas needs to demand that he do so."Trump's order bans Syrian refugees from the United States indefinitely and creates a 90-day travel ban for citizens of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Trump also suspended the U.S. refugee program for 120 days. Anchia's resolution calls the move "an open act of discrimination against Muslims" and says the Texas House stands by "our moral oaths to respect the rule of law and love our neighbors."A federal judge issued a temporary stay Saturday that prevented the government from deporting people under the ban, but the judge's order did not apply to people traveling to the United States. A number of travelers were detained at airports across the country on Saturday. Trump denies that his executive order is a Muslim ban and said Sunday that the country "will continue to show compassion to those fleeing oppression."Anchia said Trump's intent behind the order is clear, regardless of what he says publicly. "It means nothing to me because during the campaign he promised that he was going to ban Muslims," Anchia said. "While he is not banning every Muslim in the world, the effect of this ban falls almost exclusively on Muslims.  Continue reading...