Being in office for just over a week, Donald Trump has ordered an immigration ban on seven predominantly Muslim countries, causing the country to erupt in protest and chaos. This ban prevents citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries including Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Yemen, and Somalia from coming to the U.S. for 90 days, and bars the admission of all refugees for 120 days.
A Trump official stated that the San Bernardino attack that left 14 dead was an example of the apparent “link” between immigration and terrorism even though neither shooters would have been affected by the ban, making this claim yet another one of trump’s alternate facts. Trump is calling this an “immigration ban”, but people across the country are seeing it for what it truly is, a Muslim ban. Nationwide protests have broken out, in cities and airports across the U.S., infuriated by Trump’s obvious islamophobia.
This executive order triggered confusion and panic, as dozens of refugees that were already in the air headed to the U.S. were detained at JFK airport. Many other refugees with valid visas and airline tickets were turned away from airlines coming to America, leaving many stranded in foreign countries. Saturday night a federal judge came to the rescue, granting refugees that had already landed and are in transit to the US emergency stay, saying that they can’t be deported and must be released from detention.
“Individuals with refugee applications approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services as part of the US Refugee Admissions Program, holders of valid immigrant and nonimmigrant visas, and other individuals from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen legally authorized to enter the United States.” -Judge Ann Donnelly
Trump’s failure to recognize that terrorism is not specific to one religion, region, or skin color speaks very loudly in this ban affecting a Muslim majority. He is calling it an “immigrant ban”, while specifically targeting Muslims. People’s ignorance and narrow-mindedness surrounding terrorism is denying innocent people a place of refuge. Islamophobia is turning children from safety and sanctuary.
Even though this ban may be legal, “Never forget that what Hitler did in Germany was legal.” -MLK. We can’t let the legality of Trump’s actions decide whether or not they should be allowed. Americans can’t stand by and allow Trump to turn away the people who make America the proud and diverse country it is. America is a representative democracy but we have to show the world that Trump may be our president but he does NOT represent us. A country “founded” by immigrants themselves who were fleeing religious persecution has no right to be denying asylum to anyone on the basis of religious persecution.
The “home of the brave” should not fear people in need. The generalization of Muslim and brown skinned peoples is creating not safety, but intolerance in America. Islam may be one of the most peaceful religions in the world, violence is decried by Muslims, violence is haram. Trump’s racist and intolerant agenda is denying peaceful people in need solely because he himself is racist and intolerant. We must never forget that America is a nation of immigrants, or what America stands for. America prides itself on being a place where people come to live freely and safely without imposition based on religion.
“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” -Statue of Liberty
A message to immigrants and refugees across the world; Trump’s America may not welcome you but my America does. The refugees who were released from detainment were cheered on and met with open arms as they passed through the mass of protestors. Trump may be trying to turn you away, but the people who make up America will not allow it. The protesting will continue as long as the intolerance does.
A message to white people who attended the Women’s March; I sincerely hope to see you nice folks guys at protests against the Muslim ban and future BLM rallies, you know, protesting things that don’t only apply to you. You need to be out in the streets standing with POC. Activism has to be intersectional or not at all. The energy from the Women’s March can’t die out, we have to keep the cause alive. This has to be a movement, not a moment.
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