"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." –– First Amendment, US Constitution
Americans are now more than ever living in fear because of the various terrorist attacks not only happening in the United States but also in other parts of the world. Many see banning Muslims from coming into the country as the only solution to stopping this terrorist attacks –– but we cannot act in fear. We cannot let those acting out on hate to taint our image of Islam.
In December, President-elect Donald Trump spoke about the 'temporary' ban of Muslims entering the United States and expressed his openness on a Muslim registry for those that are already in the country. So my questions to you President-elect are: So would Muslims be required to wear a yellow patch like the Jewish population did during the Holocaust? What are the consequences if one fails to register? Are Muslims on the registry going to be targeted to be searched? Are Muslims going to be able to practice their religion without fear of being taunted?
After expressing his plan for the Muslim registry and a shut down of Muslims entering the country, Republicans and Democrats both criticized Trump's plan. Afterward, Trump and his aides soften the plan by saying, "Trump would support a ban on immigration only from countries that had been "compromised by terrorism."
What many don't know is there has been already been a National Security Entry-Exit Registration System or the NSEERS. The program included two registration programs: one that required foreign nationals from certain countries to check in with the government before entering and leaving the country, and another that obliged some foreigners living in the United States to report regularly to immigration officials. All of the countries were Muslim-majority expect for North Korea. The domestic registration side of the NSEERS only lasted a year and three months while the remaining portion was suspended in 2011. They only de-listed the countries but the program still exists and could add those countries back on the list. The NSEERS did not help the government open any terrorist-related criminal case.
The Muslim registry would be demeaning and stereotypical to Muslim. We cannot overrule what our founding fathers established: Freedom of Speech. We cannot let fear guide our hearts.