Trump's Executive Order

On January 27, 2017, President Trump signed an executive order titled, "Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States."

The following is the condensed version. To read the entire order, click here.

Section 1. Purpose - The visa issuance process plays a crucial role in detecting individuals with terrorist ties and stopping them from entering the United States. This purpose was presented based on the terrorist attack that occurred on September 11, 2001.

The purpose is to detect those individuals who come in America under false pretenses - students, employment or refugee resettlement program.

Section 2. Policy - It is the policy of the United States to protect its citizens from foreign nationals who intend to commit terrorist attacks in the United States; and to prevent the admission of foreign nationals who intend to exploit United States immigration laws for malevolent purposes.

Section 3. Suspension of Issuance of Visas and Other Immigration Benefits to Nationals of Countries of Particular Concern. This section has seven parts that go into detail of the responsibilities of Homeland Security.

Section 4. Implementing Uniform Screening Standards for All Immigration Programs. This section has two points that explain its purpose.

Section 5. Realignment of the United States Refugee Admissions Program for Fiscal Year 2017. There are seven points in this section.

Section 6. Recession of Exercise of Authority Relating to the Terrorism Grounds of Inadmissibility.

Section 7. Expedited Completion of the Biometric Entry - Exit Tracking System. There are two points to consider in this section.

Section 8. Visa Interview Security. There are two points to consider in this section.

Section 9. Visa Validity Reciprocity.

Section 10. Transparency and Data Collection. There are six points to consider in this section.

Section 11. General Provisions. This section is a must read.

(The above was copied from The New York Times, Full Executive Order, January 27, 2017.)

In layman's terms, the Executive Order does not affect naturalized United States citizens from the following seven countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen. It barred (indefinitely) Syrian refugees from entering the United States, suspended all refugees admissions for 120 days and blocked citizens, refugees or otherwise from entering the United States for 90 days.

Thousands, in support of individual rights, unleashed chaos on immigration systems and in airports in the United States and overseas.

Many students, visitors and green card holders of legal permancy who are residents from the above countries and refugees were stopped and blocked from entering the United States and sent back overseas. There's more to add, but I am sure we have seen or heard in newspapers or on the news what is happening regarding this order.

My opinion: I am not sure how to express what I am feeling about this. I believe everyone has the opportunity to be who they choose to be. Everyone has the right to become a United States citizen. No one should be discriminated against as a group, we should all be judged as individuals. No one should be able to enter into the United States with the intent of harming others for whatever reason. This is suppose to be the land of the free. We who reside here should feel free at all times.

I know how it is to be banned, discriminated against, misjudged and mistreated. I wish I could say that eventually you will be able to be truly free in the United States, but I can't. When everything with this Executive Order goes away (it may never disappear), those individuals involved will still be banned, discriminated against, misjudged and mistreated. They will always have to fight for what little "freedom" they will be allowed.

As this order continues to be in the forefront, there will be people who will want to help when it is convenient for them. These people only show up when they know media coverage will be around. Everyone wants their five seconds!

There will be people who will help because it makes them look good and they have something to gain. And then there will be people, I will call this group True Friends, who will defend you to the end no matter what they could lose or gain. These are the diamonds in the rough. These are the people who will help you shine. Your time, and my time will come one day!

#executiveorder #terrorist #muslims #refugees