Students, Alumni React to Trump’s Muslim Ban

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Earlier today, thousands gathered at JFK International Airport to protest the detaining of 12 people from the list of seven majority-Muslim countries covered in Trump’s executive order from yesterday. This order has suspended all immigration from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Yemen, Libya and Somalia for the next 90 days, regardless of visa and permanent resident status. The order also bans entry of all refugees for the next 120 days and the entry of Syrian refugees indefinitely.

Among those at JFK earlier today was Casey Smith ’17, who gives more information about what’s going on there:

At least a dozen refugees and immigrants from the now-banned Muslim-majority countries were detained by Customs and Border Patrol inside JFK and more–unclear how many–were detained at airports around the country. The protests were posted on Facebook by immigrants’ rights and human rights activists, including Linda Sarsour. Lawyers from the International Refugee Assistance Project and the ACLU were inside the airport, by the arrivals gate, working to get in touch with the detained refugees. At the time of writing one Iraqi refugee had been released but the others were still detained. Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez (NY-7) was inside the airport and at the protests all day to advocate for CBP to release the refugees. Protestors shouted “no ban, no wall” and that immigrants/refugees/Muslims are welcome here.

Smith also said that it is important that those who are directly affected by the ban be centered in conversations about the policy. Read past the jump for reactions to the news:

According to reports, there is currently a court case being heard for an injunction to the ban. Several students and alumni have responded to this news on twitter:

If you are looking for ways to be of assistance in the wake of Trump’s , check out Lily Herman ’16‘s twitter thread above for ways to help those affected by this executive order. Consider donating to the International Refugee Assistance Project, and the ACLU (who filed a lawsuit this morning, challenging the order).

At around 7:30pm, protesters gathered at Cadman Plaza in Brooklyn, where an emergency hearing for several detainees took place:

According to activist Linda Sarsour on Twitter (at 8:55PM EST), a U.S. District Court Judge Ann Donnelly just granted stay to detained refugees, as a result of the ACLU lawsuit:

In the wake of today’s news, it needs to be said that Wesleying is committed to publishing information, perspectives, photos, videos, and other media for and about any in the Wesleyan community who are resisting the Trump regime. Never hesitate to send in tips at staff[at]wesleying[dot]org. Also, consider writing in.