Booker, Carper Question DHS About Revoking Global Entry Status Based on Religion

Source: Cape May County Herald

WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Tom Carper (D-DE) led a letter signed by Senators Ed Markey (D-MA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Ben Cardin (D-MD) questioning the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) about revelations that it is revoking the membership of dozens of people enrolled in its Global Entry Program on the basis of religion. The Global Entry Program allows expedited clearance for certain travelers arriving in the U.S. who have undergone significant background checks.

Recent news reports have indicated that individuals with Arab and Muslim-sounding names are having their membership in the Global Entry program revoked with little explanation. If true, such discrimination would likely violate the Constitution.

* * *

Senator Booker, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has led the charge against the Trump Administration’s efforts to roll back civil rights for immigrants and minority groups. Shortly after Trump’s first Muslim Ban was announced in January, Booker joined a group of protestors at Dulles International Airport near Washington, DC, and at a DHS detention facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey, part of a nationwide movement against the unconstitutional order. Senator Carper also joined a group of protestors at Philadelphia International Airport.

Senators Booker and Carper also introduced legislation in February – The PROTECT Immigration ACT – to block a key component of the ban.

Read more: http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/news/government/article_3ca4b524-27da-11e7-afef-8b6ba0757b2f.html