On Sunday, January 29th, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that bans seven Muslim countries from entering the United States. This bars roughly 218 million people from entering the US for at least 90 days. Trump also suspended the U.S. refugee program, which allowed those from war-torn countries to stay in the U.S. Some refugees are prioritized over others on the basis of religious persecution based on minorities. This means that a Christian living in a Muslim-majority country could be granted entrance over others.
Following the executive order, WVU acted quickly and sent out and advisory to its international students via the Office of Global Affairs. It states that those who are from the banned countries immediately cancel any travel plans and that those who are outside of the U.S. return immediately. The office also suggests that those who are from the seven banned countries inquire the advice of an immigration lawyer, and carry documentation everywhere.
What does this mean for WVU's Muslim students? It means the installment of fear, alienation, and inhumanity. It means that those who call Morgantown home are now invalidated. It means that human beings, people with families, interests, dreams and feelings are now being treated as a threat. The country who was built on immigrants is now turning people away and sending them back to states of war, terror, and injustice.
How can we help our fellow students feel safe? How can we make our friends, our family, and our lovers feel like they are included in the American narrative? We fight. We do not comply. We speak out against these injustices, we attend protests and we involve ourselves in local government. WVU is a place for everyone; not a cherry-picked bunch. We do not discriminate against diversity, religion, appearance or beliefs; we invite it.
WVU is offering an information session in the Mountainlair from 5-6:30 PM on January 30, to those in need of support and those who need their questions answered. There is also a vigil for intolerance at Woodburn Circle at 6:30. Supplies will be offered in the LGBTQ+ center during the morning and afternoon to those who would like to make signs.
