Upset over Trump's immigration ban
- Owen Ambrose
- Jan 29, 2017
- 4 min read
US President Donald Trump has faced a massive backlash since implementing a controversial Executive Order designed to put a temporary hold on immigration whilst the US begins a review into current immigration policies, with a view to preventing further terrorist attacks in the country.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May, who for the last two days has been facing pressure to do something, has now acted.
May has now ordered UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and UK Home Secretary Amber Rudd to urgently contact their US counterparts about the travel ban imposed by President Trump. Johnson and Rudd are now expected to make representations to Donald Trump regarding the order barring refugees and visa holders from 7 major Muslim countries (Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen). Earlier Mr Johnson tweeted it was "divisive and wrong" to stigmatise people on the basis of nationality. Mrs May has been facing some strong criticism of her own for not publicly reaching out to condemn Trump's actions sooner.
Elsewhere in response to Trump's order, Iran and Iraq are threatening a reciprocal ban on US citizens entering their countries and German Chancellor Angela Merkel issued a statement saying "Even the necessary, determined fight against terrorism does not justify placing people of a certain origin or belief under general suspicion." Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted that his government remained committed to welcoming "those fleeing persecution, terror and war" and encouraged those seeking asylum to head for Canada, where their attitude is that "diversity strengthens us."
Trump has of course also faced strong opposition inside the US. Pictured above are protesters outside New York's JFK airport, who are just a small part of the thousands who are protesting across the country at multiple US airports.
A US judge has demanded a temporary halt to the deportation of visa holders or refugees stranded at airports, in response to a case filed by The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on Friday. The ACLU estimates that 100-200 people are being held at airports or in transit. The ruling in this case from federal Judge Ann Donnelly prevents the removal from the US of those who already have approved refugee applications and visas. During the emergency ruling she also said there was a risk of "substantial and irreparable injury" to those affected, though she is not technically making judgement on whether or not Trump's order is in keeping with the US Constitution.
Part of this may just be a knee-jerk over-reaction to the new policy on behalf of some security staff. When the Executive Order came into power, those affected who were already mid-flight on their way to the US were detained on arrival at their destination airport even if they held valid US visas or other immigration permits. One wonders if Trump might have been forgiving of the airport staff for letting in those few people instead of detaining them and giving rise to mass panic and confusion. However to the credit of the airport and security staff it does seem that President Trump is quite adamant on creating as immediate and prolific an impact as possible.
On Sunday Mr. Trump tweeted: "Our country needs strong borders and extreme vetting, NOW." The day before that, even amidst the news of mass protests and court action, he told reporters the order was "working out very nicely. You see it at the airports, you see it all over."
The Department of Homeland Security said it would continue to enforce the order, playing down the severity of the international panic with the comment that the current issue affects "less than 1% of the more than 325,000 international air travellers who arrive every day" and added that the US "retains its right to revoke visas at any time if required for national security or public safety".
It seems Trump is continuing his trend of controversy. Without judging him as to the motives of the recent Executive Order it will be interesting to see how he takes the ongoing international criticism, especially with regards to the UK weighing in on the matter. Maybe we will see just how special the relationship between the US and the UK really is, and what level of influence May really has over Trump. Whilst I do respect Trump's right to handle immigration whichever way he feels suits the country best, providing he has the backing of the US people of course, I would be keen to see how much respect he has for May and the UK by way of observing how much of our opinions and growing concerns he listens to and takes on board. It's certainly an exciting time for world politics and Trump sure does seem to be living up to many of his promises.
Right or wrong, you have to respect a man with so much conviction in his own beliefs and actions.
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