The first executive order that the Trump administration has put out involved the ban of tens of thousands of people entering the United States from a majority of Muslim countries. With this order, certain individuals are no longer allowed to enter the United States. This order lasts for 90 days if they come from the seven countries of: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen. It also suspended people that were granted refugee status for 120 days while the Trump administration reviews their immigration procedures.
Those who were traveling to the United States at the time were stopped and detained as they landed at various airports throughout the country. Those who were waiting to board planes heading towards the United States were stopped also. Even if they provided a valid visa and airline ticket, they were still prohibited to board any plane headed to America. Many were left stranded in foreign countries while airlines were forced to comply with the new policy that had been put into place.
Ann Donnelly, a judge appointed during the Obama administration, stated that the government doesn’t have the right to remove individuals who can provide proper documentation approved by US Citizenship and Immigration Services as part of the US Refugee Admissions Program.
“Since it is an executive order it must be followed under the constitution. I think there a lot of things President Trump has done that many Republicans are beginning to question. They question his actions but are beginning to understand that they can not get everything the way they want,” said Melanie Darges, senior.
Also those that are holding valid visas are legally authorized to enter the United States and there has been debate over this issue. When Trump was interviewed about the executive order, he stated that it was not a Muslim ban and this is not about religion explaining how there are over 40 countries that are majority Muslim countries. Debates have been going on between many law experts and analyzers as well as many government officials. The argument over whether or not this order is constitutional is possibly the most debated of the topics revolving this whole subject.
“I think it is really an unconstitutional ban. Personally I am from Egypt which is not one of the seven countries so it does not really affect me and I am a citizen also. It is good for my family that Egypt is not on the list but at the same time it targets other Arab countries and lots of other people are affected. If people continue to protest hopefully it will not fall through and will be over after the 90 days or after the court makes a decision,” said Ali Hida, senior.
After Judge Donnelly gave her statement and order about this, Stephen Miller, a senior advisor in the white house came out to say that her order does not prevent or hinder the implementation of the executive order.
Protests have gone on across the world against this executive order and after its first weekend in place it still is being implemented by the government. As of Jan. 28, there had been at least eight major lawsuits against the immigration ban and judges had begun their ruling on the subject at matter.
“The order is in the appeals court right now and I have heard that court is pretty liberal so maybe it will get moved up to the supreme court. The only countries on the list are the mainly the ones where terrorists come from and I understand there are refugees that need help but at the same time I do not think it is completely inhumane. Also, Obama did a similar thing in 2011 and if President Trump ended up making this order permanent then I would have a problem with it but since it is temporary it is not as bad,” Melanie Darges, senior.
