Sen. Cruz: President Obama Should Act Now to Defend Religious Liberty and Save Meriam Ibrahim
Co-sponsors Bill to Grant Meriam Ibrahim and Children Permanent Legal Status in U.S.
WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, announced his co-sponsorship of Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire, and Sen. Kelly Ayotte’s, R-New Hampshire, legislation that will grant Meriam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag and her two young children permanent legal status in the United States. Ibrahim is currently imprisoned by the Sudanese government for refusing to renounce her Christian faith. She is married to Daniel Wani, a U.S. citizen and resident of New Hampshire. Their two children, Martin and Maya, are U.S. citizens.
“Meriam Ibrahim, a young wife and mother, is facing horrific persecution simply for being a Christian,” said Sen. Cruz. “Her husband is an American from New Hampshire, and her 20-month-old son Martin and newborn daughter Maya--both American citizens--are with their mother in a wretched Sudanese prison. Just days ago, Meriam gave birth to baby Maya, while in leg irons. Because of her faith, the government of Sudan has sentenced her to 100 lashes and then to hang by the neck until dead.
"This is wrong, it is grotesque, and it must be stopped. Every member of Congress should come together to support this bill and implore President Obama to act now, to defend religious liberty, and to save Meriam and bring her and her babies home to America."
Full text of the bill is available here. The original announcement of this legislation is available here. Original cosponsors of the bill include Senators Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Mary Landrieu, D-Louisiana, and Roger Wicker, R-Mississippi. It is companion legislation to a House bill sponsored by Representative Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas.
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