The recent executive order by President Donald Trump on immigration has caused global havoc with the stroke of a pen. Trump put a 90-day travel ban on refugees and citizens from Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, the result of which fueled the media cycle over the weekend as images and video showed stranded travelers in the United States and across other nations. In Los Angeles, Chicago, New York and Atlanta airports, protestors gathered and rallied against Trump. Immigration lawyers in various cities went to the scene and offered free and immediate help to those who were being detained. Some lawyers were turned away at one airport when they asked for access to a detainee. According to a lawyer, they were told that it was an administrative matter and not yet a legal matter as questioning continued by immigration officers.
On Friday, a federal judge in New York issued a temporary restraining order stopping parts of the order from fully being implemented. Late Sunday evening, President Trump logged onto Facebook and Twitter to issue the following response:
“America is a proud nation of immigrants and we will continue to show compassion to those fleeing oppression, but we will do so while protecting our own citizens and border. America has always been the land of the free and home of the brave. We will keep it free and keep it safe, as the media knows, but refuses to say. My policy is similar to what President Obama did in 2011 when he banned visas for refugees from Iraq for six months. The seven countries named in the Executive Order are the same countries previously identified by the Obama administration as sources of terror. To be clear, this is not a Muslim ban, as the media is falsely reporting. This is not about religion – this is about terror and keeping our country safe. There are over 40 different countries worldwide that are majority Muslim that are not affected by this order. We will again be issuing visas to all countries once we are sure we have reviewed and implemented the most secure policies over the next 90 days. I have tremendous feeling for the people involved in this horrific humanitarian crisis in Syria. My first priority will always be to protect and serve our country, but as President I will find ways to help all those who are suffering.”
Trump also had the time to engage in a Twitter feud with Sen. John McCain’s criticism of the executive order and also criticized the media for reporting on the issues it caused. The response from Trump’s political base showed overwhelming support for the immigration action. Although these supporters were not on the street in counter protests, they spoke loudly on Twitter on the @POTUS and @RealDonaldTrump.
The Trump administration now seems to be “digging in its heels” and is ready for legal challenges. Trump senior adviser Kellyanne Conway appeared on FOX News on Sunday and stated about the global havoc and anguish, “And I think in terms of the upside being greater protection of our borders, of our people, it’s a small price to pay.” A telling statement which shows that the Trump presidency is deaf to the voice of the people and blind to their suffering. Protestors against Trump will continue to have sore feet and hoarse voices as in just seven days he has upset the global order. On Thursday, Trump stated that he will announce his choice for the Supreme Court vacancy left after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia last year. Trump will undoubtedly choose a candidate that will reflect his ideology and agenda.
