On January 27, 2017, President Donald Trump signed an executive order which included a ban on visas to the United States from the following Muslim majority nations: Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen – for 90 days. The order also halts refugee resettlement for about four months until an “extreme vetting” policy is reviewed. The administration claimed the ban to be a part of an initiative to strengthen U.S. borders against foreign extremist groups, while excluding countries like Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Turkey (all of whom coincidentally hold business ties with the president.)
Confusion soon followed in the nation’s airports as people entering the country from the 7 countries listed on the ban were detained indefinitely. Individuals with green cards were also detained until the Chief of Staff issued a statement earlier this morning stating that green card holders would be assessed on a case by case basis.
Since its release, the ban has drawn demonstrations at airports across the country including the large congregations at major airports like JFK and LAX with more protests scheduled to take place today (January 29). The ACLU celebrated a temporary victory with federal judge Ann Donnelly’s emergency halt on the deportation of detained immigrants and refugees. Other federal judges in Boston and DC have issued similar stays for detained visa holders, immigrants and refugees. The ACLU continues to represent dozens of cases in lawsuits against the executive order until the ban is lifted immediately.
So what can you do in the meantime? Here’s a short list:
1. Support/donate to the ACLU.
Their victory, while remarkable, is only temporary and requires further support if this ruling is to be overturned. (Feel free to donate to the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the International Rescue Committee as well.)
2. Call your congressman and tell them that this ban is not only discriminatory but also unconstitutional.
Express your opposition in a professional manner and urge them to take legal action. If your representative is already opposed, feel free to call those who have yet to issue a statement on the ban. Here is a google document on our representatives and their stances.
3. Protest at your local rallies.
Peaceful protest not only symbolizes solidarity against the injustices that this administration has threatened to implement, but it promises a weak-minded President that this is the kind of opposition he will have to look forward to for the next four years.
The United States of America is a country built on the dreams, the steely determination and the arduous labor of immigrants and refugees seeking asylum. The promise of freedom and opportunity is a promise that extends to ALL people, regardless of sexuality, race or religion. This ban is an insult to everything that makes us American and is a gross violation our freedoms. It will not stand.
#NOBAN
