On January 29, every SMU student received the following email:
“A message to the SMU community from President Turner: SMU’s leadership is monitoring the legal developments related to an executive order banning entry into the United States by residents of certain countries. University personnel will reach out to any student who may have had family detained as they attempted to enter the U.S. These family members began their travel to the U.S. before Friday’s executive order was issued. SMU will look for ways to support any of its international students whose families may have been affected by this order.”
If you haven’t been keeping up with the news, this might raise a few questions. Or even if you’re up to date on current affairs, you still might be a little confused about the details of President Trump’s executive order. Let’s break down the details of this controversial decision.
The Order
Trump’s order:
- Suspends the entrance of all refugees for 120 days
- Suspends the entrance of refugees from Syria indefinitely
- Blocks citizens from Iran, Libya, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen (all majority Muslim nations) from entering for 90 days
- Note that this does not affect naturalized U.S citizens who were born in these countries
The Problems
The executive order sparked immediate outrage. This is, at least partially, due to its graceless implementation. As the order when into effect, refugees who had already been approved for entry, as well as visitors and immigrants were detained at airports. They were forced to linger in legal limbo, as the ACLU attorneys searched for a way to obstruct their deportation. A federal judge was able to grant the detained a temporary stay of deportation, but the ACLU predicts a long fight in court over the coming months.
Another major public complaint with the order is the that it is a form of religious discrimination. The targeting of immigrants from primarily Muslim nations can’t be ignored. President Trump has rejected the term “Muslim ban” in favor of “extreme vetting.” The problem with this? Refugees already undergo extreme vetting before being granted admission into the United States. They undergo a rigorous series of background checks, medical exams, and interviews. In fact, the refugee resettlement system is arguably the most difficult way to enter the country. In short, the refugee system was already insanely secure.
The Response
There has been a strong public rejection of the Muslim Ban. Protesters flocked to airports across the country to assure refugees and immigrants that they were, in fact, welcome in the United States. More than 1,000 people, including some SMU students, gathered at nearby DFW airport to stand up against inhumanity. Even though the protestors were fueled by frustration, the mood was one of unity, not of anger.
“It was really nice to see so many people of different backgrounds convene to seek change that they felt was really necessary,” protest attendee and SMU sophomore Luke Yeom said.
What Can You Do?
If you missed your chance to protest, don’t fear! There are plenty of ways to show your support to the refugee, immigrant and international communities over the coming months. You can:
- Donate money to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) – The ACLU is leading the legal battle to overturn the ban. College students don’t have a lot of money, but there’s an option to give as much as you want, and you don’t have to commit to a monthly gift.
- Volunteer with a refugee resettlement charity – Refugees have a lot of needs when they first arrive. This organization helps with childcare, cultural orientation and more.
- Give your time – Knowing Trump, this will not be your last chance to protest. Be on the lookout for opportunities to speak out against xenophobia, to stand up for humanity and reach out to friends who may be struggling during this time.