Yesterday as I was sitting in a Yemeni restaurant with my family I witnessed a scene of diversity. I realized that there were not just Arabs in the restaurant. I heard a few different languages. I also saw individuals of different races, which is an accurate representation of our nation. We are a nation of immigrants, and the U.S has long prided itself on that ideal for many years. So why is President Trump trying to limit the very thing that makes the U.S somewhat unique from other countries?
On Friday, January 27th, Trump signed an executive order to ban individuals from Yemen, Sudan, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Somalia, and Libya from entering the U.S. The ban is in effect for 120 days, and I believe that this is unconstitutional. Green card and visa holders have a right to enter this country. These individuals were granted entry from U.S embassies to enter the U.S. Federal judges have temporarily put a stop to this ban. But people are still being detained.
President Donald Trump’s blatant discrimination and reckless speech may have also indirectly caused harm to the Muslim community. Two days ago, just two days after Trump signed his immigration order, a Texas mosque was burned down. The cause has not been determined yet but we are amidst an anti-Muslim time. Last week, a woman was caught on camera vandalizing a mosque and placing bacon on the doors. This happened in California.
And so, after talking with many of friends and family, I have realized they are afraid. They are afraid of the future and afraid of being victims. My father’s traveling agency has been getting calls from people canceling their flights in fear of not being able to return back to the U.S. So why should people who consider America their home feel like they are not safe here?
Seeing the majority of people will not stand with what President Trump is doing gives us hope. People who are fighting back against this discriminatory policy are heroes because they recognize the rights of the people that our President refuses to recognize.
There are a few things that I would like to say to our current President. I understand that you want to “Make America Great Again”. But America includes all people-- all the women, men, children, people of religions, atheists, people of all sexual orientations and identities, people from different nations, cultural and ethnic identities. And to “Make America Great Again” you need to recognize the rights of all these people because their diversity is what truly makes America great. You also need to recognize that there are radicals in most religions and cultures, and that radical Islamists are mostly terrorizing Muslims in their own countries which is why Syrians and Iraqis are seeking refugee--not to terrorize but to get away from the terrorism plaguing their homelands.
