President Trump’s executive order banning refugees for the next 120 days and immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim countries for 90 days went into effect Friday night, and the order is already creating serious issues for immigrants and refugees who are being detained at the U.S. border. According to NBC News, demonstrators were outside New York City’s JFK airport this morning after two Iraqi men were detained there – and that’s only the beginning.
In protest, many are taking to Twitter using the hastag #MuslimBan to express why the order is discriminatory and share stories of the ways in which they themselves, their family and their friends are going to be personally affected. Some users explained their fear of never being able to visit their home countries and others were afraid they’d never be reuinited with family members that still resided in the banned countries.
Even users who didn’t have a personal connection to the ban expressed outrage over the irony of a nation of immigrants banning immigrants and refugees:
“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”
Except you. Not you. #MuslimBan pic.twitter.com/UN4G7v1roG
— Greg Hogben (@MyDaughtersArmy) January 28, 2017
A nation founded by religious and political refugees turns its back on them. What’s worse, it’s out of fear. #MuslimBan
— Jesse Cox (@JesseCox) January 28, 2017
Refugees are FLEEING TERROR. They are not terrorists. #muslimban
— Emmy Rossum (@emmyrossum) January 28, 2017
As someone who was born in Pakistan I can tell you coming into America is VERY difficult. A #Muslimban accomplishes nothing but hate.
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) January 28, 2017
No matter what you identify as politically, the #MuslimBan is against everything this country was founded on and violates basic human rights
— Lizzy Dobbins (@lizdobby90) January 28, 2017
There were heartbreaking stories of how the ban would affect many Muslims personally:
As a teacher in a school where many students are refugees the #MuslimBan breaks my heart. These children are human beings, not terrorists
— Cassie (@Cuda1297) January 28, 2017
My refugee friend and her young son were ecstatic last wk b/c her husband was approved to come from Iraq. What do I tell her now? #MuslimBan
— Matt Jaber Stiffler (@ProfStiff) January 28, 2017
My cousin from #Iran won’t be moving to the US to finish her chemistry degree now. Thanks #MuslimBan
— Athena Kheibari (@AthenaKheibari) January 28, 2017
Please resist and say no to the #MuslimBan it is discriminatory and inhumane. Many of us contribute as former refugees to our new home. pic.twitter.com/ZwN0LeQALt
— Asha Noor (@RajooWeyn) January 28, 2017
One user expressed her anger about not being able to return home:
can’t believe i can’t even go to my home country because of some stupid decision made by an idiot. honestly hate the world.#MuslimBan
— Melody Sabouni (@melody_sabouni) January 28, 2017
Finally, others tweeted how you can help:
Many are asking “How Can I Be of Help?” in the wake of the #MuslimBan.
Below are some ACTION STEPS. pic.twitter.com/h0NN4li90x— Khaled Beydoun (@KhaledBeydoun) January 28, 2017