This article was written by Katherine Quesada, class of 2018.
Since Trump’s announcement of his immigration ban regarding seven middle eastern countries, much controversy has arisen over the issue. Although not implemented in the best fashion, the temporary ban is necessary to devise a proper way to screen individuals entering the United States from the highlighted countries.
The ban bars people entry to the U.S. from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen (all countries highlighted in President Barack Obama’s 90-day travel ban Executive Order) for 90 days; refugee entry for 120 days; and Syrian refugees indefinitely.
One of the biggest misconceptions of the ban is that it is a Muslim ban. This is both untrue and would be unconstitutional. If it were a Muslim ban, it would apply to countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan and Turkey, as 87% of the Muslim population resides outside of the seven highlighted countries. Additionally, the majority of the world’s Muslim population does not reside in those seven nations. The ban is solely to reorganize the immigration law enforcement to better check for terrorists from the seven countries identified by President Obama as some of the most dangerous countries in the world for their history of harboring terrorists and sympathizing with terrorist organizations.
The biggest issue with the implementation of the ban is the denial of legal visas. Students, business travelers and workers were all negatively affected by the law. Those with pre-existing visas already have families and a settled life in the United States and do not need to be sent back to their respective countries without evidence of misconduct. Although I agree with the overall goal of the ban, which is to implement better immigration screening, the negative effect it has on legal visa holders is unacceptable. After amendments made on Feb. 2, certain Green Card Holders and Special Immigrants, such as Iraqi military translators and interpreters, are exempt from the ban. The ban also does not apply to Dual Nationals, who already possess a U.S. Passport, and Diplomats.
Moving forward, the Trump administration must revise the law to incorporate the complexities of the American nation and its people.
