By Amanda Anabeza, Courier Staff Writer
President Trump signed an executive order to ban all nationals of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States for a minimum of the next 90 days, which took effect on January 27.
These countries – Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen – were regarded as “countries of concern” in a 2016 law concerning immigration visas. This order bans entry from those fleeing Syria indefinitely.
Not only does this affect the citizens of the seven countries, it also restricts refugees from the United States to return home for four months. The total number of refugees admitted into the U.S. would drop significantly over the course of 2017, going from the current level of 110,000 to 50,000.
Additionally, the order calls for the “suspension of issuance of visas and other immigration benefits to nationals of countries of particular concerns”. Under this condition, travelers from 38 countries that were once able to go without interviews to renew their visa are now required to have in-person interviews in order to do so.
The executive order is titled, “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States”. During the signing at the Pentagon, Trump admits that he is, “establishing new vetting measures to keep radical Islamic terrorists out of the United States of America”.
Senator Kamala Harris, a democrat from California, confirms what most of us know to be true, “Make no mistake — this is a Muslim ban.”
“Tears are running down the cheeks of the Statue of Liberty tonight as a grand tradition of America, welcoming immigrants, that has existed since America was founded has been stomped upon,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. “Taking in immigrants and refugees is not only humanitarian but has also boosted our economy and created jobs decade after decade. This is one of the most backward and nasty executive orders that the president has issued.”
By issuing this executive order, President Trump is indeed following through with his promises as a presidential candidate.
