Martin Niemöller’s famous quote:
“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
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Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”
This quote has never had as much magnitude until Trump’s infamous travel ban on Iran, Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Somalia, Libya, and Sudan was enacted on January 27th, 2017. Trump’s Executive Order is entitled “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States”. However, his “protection” violates the founding ideas of America: a country built upon immigrants fleeing the tyranny and oppression from their home countries. This Executive Order will serve as a precedent regarding future Executive Orders as well as future policies on immigration.
If we allow our government to discriminate immigrants in the name of “protection”, then what will stop them from increasing their “protection” to individual states? Most foreigners from the prohibited countries seek the same dream that many of our ancestors wanted: a better life where their hard work will directly influence the quality of their life. The only difference between many of our ancestors and the foreigners from the prohibited countries is their date of birth. We must not let our government step upon the dreams and civil liberties of both citizens and prospecting citizens simply because “their problem doesn’t bother me”. If left unattended, the magnitude of this Executive Order will be everyone’s problem.
