The latest on Trump’s ‘Muslim Ban’

The latest on Trump’s ‘Muslim Ban’ | Secret Flying

Chaos and confusion around the world following Donald Trump’s controversial ‘Muslim ban’.

 

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order halting the entire US refugee programme and also implementing a 90-day travel ban for nationals from seven Muslim-majority countries – Syria, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen. The President signed the order on Holocaust Remembrance Day, an irony not lost on families of survivors of the Nazi regime.

 

In the hours following the new policy, there was chaos and confusion at airports around the world as refugees and even permanent residents of the US were denied boarding US-bound flights. Passengers already in the air when the executive order took effect, were detained by border agents upon landing in the US.

 

Many politicians around the world expressed their condemnation of Trump’s ban, which will affect millions worldwide. Critics have pointed out that actions like these allow extremists to easily radicalise moderate Muslims. ISIS recruiters and propagandists have always claimed that the United States is engaged in a war against Islam.

 

Somali-born Sir Mo Farrah, the most decorated athlete in British athletics history, who resides and trains in Oregon, may be refused re-entry into the US if he travels abroad. On Sunday, the 4-time Olympic gold winner shared a Facebook post that read: “On 1st January this year, Her Majesty The Queen made me a Knight of the Realm. On 27th January, President Donald Trump seems to have made me an alien.”

 

Meanwhile, Iranian Oscar nominee, Asghar Farhadi, has been told he cannot attend next month’s Academy Awards. The director’s film “The Salesman” is nominated in the best foreign-language film category.

 

When asked by reporters in the Oval Office how the executive order was being executed, Trump replied: “”It’s working out very nicely. You see it at the airports, you see it all over.”

 

Tens of thousands of protesters have descended on major airports across the US wielding signs that read “No ban, no wall,” and, “Refugees welcome.” Although the protests began at JFK International Airport in response to news that Customs and Border Officials were holding two Iraqis in detention, demonstrations quickly spread across the country as stories of Muslims being held at airports were reported.

 

 

One of the Iraqi’s detained was Hameed Khalid Darweesh, who worked as an interpreter for the US Army when it invaded Iraq in 2003. Darweesh was granted permission to relocate to the US, after risking his life to help US soldiers during the war. However, yesterday upon arrival at JFK International Airport, he was detained along with another traveller from Iraq. He was eventually released after lawyers petitioned a federal court to let them go.

 

A number of immigration lawyers have volunteered their time to provide free assistance to anyone detained over President Trump’s immigration order. Make-shift legal offices were assembled in many US airports, as US Customs and Border Protection officials were not allowing attorneys or families any communication with the detainees.

 

Trump’s administration appeared to concede ground when announcing the ban would no longer apply to green-card holders. This however, has had little effect on re-assuring travellers given the treatment received from Homeland Security.

 

Late on Saturday night, a federal judge in Brooklyn blocked part of the ban, temporarily preventing border officials from deporting visa holders or refugees stranded at airports.

 

The vast majority of airlines are conforming with the new rules. However, some are not exactly sure who exactly is barred from the US. For example, German airline Lufthansa said it was not yet “in the position to outline the effect” given the new US immigration rule.

 

Secret Flying wishes to remind its followers who originate from and/or are citizens of any of the 7 affected countries, not to fly with a US airline when travelling to another country. All US layovers consist of clearing customs, therefore you will be denied boarding on the US-bound flight or detained when you arrive.