In Response to Trump's Executive Orders on Immigration

The words - "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." - were not etched with an asterisk next to them.

Soon after Donald Trump took office, he issued executive orders on immigration that should not and cannot be perceived to reflect the principles of this already great country or the people of the United States.

Among the executive orders’ effects were barring citizens of seven countries from entering the United States for 90 days and suspending admission of all refugees for 120 days. The countries whose citizens are barred include: Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, all of which happen to be Muslim-majority countries.

These actions have left innocent refugee(!) families stranded and abandoned. These orders have also left countless numbers of us Americans wondering what our country is becoming. Such a move is illegal, unjust, and truly un-American.

Fortunately, the best in America has risen against Trump’s executive orders. The throngs of people across the country who have spoken against these executive orders have come to the defense of refugee families unable to enter the U.S. after several months, if not a few years, of waiting, vetting, and background checks. They immediately mobilized and flocked to the airports to protest and protect refugees trying to enter the country legally(!), trying to stop being deported. Others converged on the courts. Lawsuits have already been filed, and at least one federal judge has blocked Trump’s order for now. Do not doubt the strength of this country or its people to recognize injustice, remember what is at the heart of this country, and rise up for what is right.

Please protect yourself and others with reliable information and guidance. Consult a trusted community organization or experienced immigration attorney if you have any questions about the impact of the executive orders - whether you are currently inside or outside of the United States.