The impact of President Donald Trump 's latest executive order suspending immigration from several predominantly Muslim countries is already felt worldwide.
On Friday, on his eighth day in office, President Trump signed the executive action limiting the flow of refugees into the U.S. by instituting what he calls "extreme vetting" of immigrants. Admission of Syrian refugees has been stopped indefinitely, while immigration from seven additional countries (Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Yemen, and Somalia) has been barred for 90 days, reports CNN.
Trump described these new measures as an effort to "keep radical Islamic terrorists out of the United States of America," telling reporters in attendance at the order's signing, "we don't want them here. We want to ensure that we are not admitting into our country the very threats our soldiers are fighting overseas. We only want to admit those into our country who will support our country and love deeply our people."
As the policies were swiftly put into action, refugees and professionals alike have found themselves navigating a new set of rules overnight – or, even, in some cases, mid-flight.
Just hearing from my Syrian refugee friends: There are Syrians who were at the airport, visa and ticket in hand. They sold everything, /1
— Jessica Goudeau (@jessica_goudeau) January 28, 2017
were ready to come over here after the most intense vetting process in US history. And now they can't. They're doubly stuck. /2
— Jessica Goudeau (@jessica_goudeau) January 28, 2017
Some now worry for family members who had travelled abroad.
@jimsciutto my father is a univ professor @WVUTech and travelled to Iran for his fathers funeral, he holds a GC and we are concerned.
— ☤Amir Eslami OMS-IV (@MrAmirEslami) January 28, 2017
While others now find themselves fearful of future travel.
@jimsciutto Canadian Iranian with U.S. Green Card and living in the United States. Scared if I go to Canada, I won't be allowed back in U.S.
— Yasmineh Mirabedini (@yasminehm) January 28, 2017
guys i can't go to syria this summer to see my whole family cause of the #MuslimBan ... thanks trump. i thought i liked you 😒
— hussain (@hussain_asaad) January 28, 2017
Many are calling out the ban as hypocritical.
The irony of #MarchForLife and #MuslimBan trending at the same time. pic.twitter.com/CIgHInfXVg
— Sam McConaghie (@Sam_McC91) January 28, 2017
“It’s hypocrisy to call yourself a Christian and chase away a refugee or someone seeking help" - Pope Francis #MuslimBan #trumpwar
— Katy Campbell (@KatyCampbell19) January 28, 2017
if you can separate Christians from the KKK and the Westboro Baptist Church, then you can separate Muslims from ISIS #MuslimBan
— karolyn dekam (@karolyn_dekam) January 28, 2017
Oscar-nominated director Asghar Farhadi is among those affected by the new regulations. The filmmaker, whose movie, The Salesman, is nominated for Best Foreign Language Film, will be unable to enter the country to attend the Academy Awards this year due to the ban, reports The Independent.
Confirmed: Iran's Asghar Farhadi won't be let into the US to attend Oscar's. He's nominated for best foreign language film...#MuslimBan
— Trita Parsi (@tparsi) January 28, 2017
Malala Yousafzai took to Facebook to share her "heartbreak" at the new regulations and "ask President Trump not to turn his back on the world’s most defenceless children and families."
She is not the only high-profile person to speak out about the executive order. Silicon Valley actor Kumail Nanjiani shared his personal experience with immigration, while others, like Jessica Chastain, Sophia Bush, and more tweeted messages of shock and solidarity.
As someone who was born in Pakistan I can tell you coming into America is VERY difficult. A #Muslimban accomplishes nothing but hate.
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) January 28, 2017
Americans telling me how ashamed they are: you've got a lot of company across the Atlantic today. #Chamberlainhttps://t.co/Z5buaq5CZi
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 28, 2017
"Trumps immigration ban is illegal" https://t.co/AuA4xRz0pC
— Maggie Gyllenhaal (@mgyllenhaal) January 28, 2017
THESE are the HUMAN BEINGS Trump banned today. REFUGEES fleeing ISIS. Children. Their families. Shame on him. May God help us. https://t.co/6fHeqEAaMj
— Sophia Bush (@SophiaBush) January 28, 2017
WW2- USA Turned Away Thousands of Jewish Refugees Fearing That They Were Nazi Spies.
— Jessica Chastain (@jes_chastain) January 27, 2017
TODAY- Trump signs order banning Syrian refugees. https://t.co/NdlErBBWLd
This is INSANE https://t.co/4ddjf1ZBrc
— lily allen (@lilyallen) January 28, 2017
My best friend, Alaa Mohammad Khaled, is Muslim. His parents were Palestinian refugees. His brother is DJ Khaled. #RefugeesWelcome pic.twitter.com/qXOapgvvF7
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) January 28, 2017
FYI, @realDonaldTrump this is the quote on our Statue Of Liberty. #themoreyouknow pic.twitter.com/UX4dQLE7di
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) January 28, 2017
Meanwhile, a "Refugees Welcome" protest has erupted at John F. Kennedy Airport today following the detainment of two Iraqi refugees, reports NBC News New York. One of the detainees, Hameed Jhalid Darweesh, has since been released from custody, but the protest shows no signs of stopping anytime soon, as news of the gathering spreads through social media and more demonstrators arrive at the New York airport toting handmade signs.
Crowd swelling here at JFK Terminal 4 calling for release of refugees!#NoBanNoWall pic.twitter.com/zzFkW1R3oZ
— Daniel Altschuler (@altochulo) January 28, 2017
"We will use every tool at our disposal to bring justice to America" - NY Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez addressing JFK protest #muslimban pic.twitter.com/whmPWBz91C
— Chris Brooks (@chactivist) January 28, 2017
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