By Mac Carlton, Staff Writer
Within a single executive order, President Donald Trump denied access to America for over 218 million people from seven Muslim majority nations for the next 90 days. In addition, all refugees are banned from entering the United States for the next 120 days. White House staff reports this is the beginning of Trump’s plan to implement a much broader immigration plan. Although it is unclear on how many countries will ultimately be banned from entering the US, the Trump administration is reported to be aggressively pursuing options to further limit Middle Eastern immigration.
The ban currently prohibits travel into the US of citizens from: Iraq, Syria, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, and Iran. Trump explains that these countries are classified as ‘terror-prone nations’ and mandated that the Secretary of Homeland Security conduct a 30 day review to determine whether these nations provide enough accurate information about its people to issue visas to its citizens.
“Trump’s ‘Muslim ban’ is one of the most unconstitutional executive orders issued by a US president,” said junior Martha Dean. “It discriminates against entire religions and populations and only serves to fuel Islamophobia.”
Trump has gone through on his successful campaign promises to prevent refugees (specifically Syria) from entering the US and is the first step towards his promised tighter border security. Even refugees with valid entry documents have been barred entry and even detained at US border checkpoints.
Numerous lawyers and human rights groups are in the process of sueing the Trump Administration for violating the American Code and our Constitution. Protests have occurred across the US, specifically centered around major airports. Thousands of people have been protesting daily outside of JFK airport terminal 4, where international flights arrive. So far, all protests have been peaceful.
“It has been good to see people taking action against the ban,” said junior Emma Rowe. “Citizens need to exercise their right to protest issues that they do not believe in.”
An estimated 100-200 refugees had been trapped in US airports with proper documentation and visas for several days until Federal Judge Ann Donnelly issued a nationwide state of deportations. This blocked the US government from deporting anyone who had arrived in the US with proper visas or refugee status. This was a massive blow for the Trump Administration and is likely the beginning of a legal recourse wave coming from courts nationwide in the coming months.
US international relations have taken a turn, even with allies, in response to the ban. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted to refugees inviting them into his country. In the United Kingdom a petition to ban Trump’s planned state visit has already surpassed more than one million signatures.
The US could potentially suffer economically because of this ban as well.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has already denounced the executive order and claims he will do everything in his power to keep its foreign employees. This ban could force large companies to make difficult labor decision in the coming months.
Academic institutions are facing uncertainty as well, thousands of foreign students and professors in American colleges now fear for their families and personal security. It is uncertain if students and professors from or in countries under the effect of this ban will be forced out of the US or barred from entering.
Trump’s ‘Muslim ban’ will likely bring a myriad of court cases, civilian protest, economic uncertainty, and political repercussions for his administration in the coming months.
Photo from Heavy.com
