Arab- and Muslim-American organisations in metropolitan Detroit: resistance to the travel ban, 2017–19

Abstract

The ‘travel ban’ or ‘Muslim ban’, issued by the Trump administration in 2017, was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018 in its third iteration. It was rescinded by President Biden. This article focuses on the mobilisation of Arab and Muslim Americans as minorities facing intentional discrimination. Responses from diasporas in metropolitan Detroit, which emphasise Muslim- and Arab-American community mobilisation, are examined in detail. The ban led to ten responses, including protests, media activism, communications with Congress and legal action. The research agenda incorporates original research on the activity of 12 organisations in metropolitan Detroit. Analysis focuses on interactions between and among Arab Muslims, other Muslims, Arabic-speaking Christians, Japanese Americans, Latinos and women’s organisations. Examining this active minority response to discrimination tells the story anew – looking at groups’ politicisation, alliances among related but distinct Arab-American and Muslim communities, and coalitions across ethnicities. The research contributes to the academic literatures on Muslim and Arab diasporas.