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Immigration Lawyer Assma Ali Sworn In as Judge

8/13/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Assma Ali, an immigration lawyer, was sworn in as judge for Benoit, Mississippi, on Aug. 5, 2026.
State Sen. Michael McLendon (R-Hernando) posted on Facebook on Aug. 10, 2026, demanding Ali’s removal and writing, “I believe in God we trust not Mohamed.”
Commissioner Andy Gipson and U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-South Carolina) posted on X, pledging to ban Sharia law and warning that Muslim officeholders are “trojan horses” threatening security.

History

Historical Context

The September 11 2001 attacks, killing nearly 3,000 people, spurred the USA PATRIOT Act and the 2002 creation of the Department of Homeland Security to expand surveillance and immigration screening. Anti-Muslim bias surged, with hate crimes rising almost ten-fold that year. Today, Mississippi Senator Michael McLendon and Rep. Nancy Mace’s proposals to bar Muslim officials echo that post-9/11 security climate.

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Story summary

Assma Ali, an immigration lawyer, was sworn in as judge for Benoit, Mississippi, on Aug. 5, 2026.
State Sen. Michael McLendon (R-Hernando) posted on Facebook on Aug. 10, 2026, demanding Ali’s removal and writing, “I believe in God we trust not Mohamed.”
Commissioner Andy Gipson and U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-South Carolina) posted on X, pledging to ban Sharia law and warning that Muslim officeholders are “trojan horses” threatening security.

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