News of Trump’s executive orders have enraged me to the fullest. But the one that has ignited pure disgust in my system is the ban on Muslim immigrants. There has been a long history of “persecuting the refugee” within the United States, however, there is even more underlying controversy within this particular order. As I looked at the list of countries that would not exempt from entering the states, I noticed one country missing: Saudi Arabia. None of the culprits of any of the major terrorist attacks on the U.S. in the past 15 years have come from ANY countries listed, including Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Looking back at recent terrorist attacks, I realized this statement was indeed a fact.
FIFTEEN of the 9/11 hijackers were citizens of Saudi Arabia, NOT including Osama Bin Laden who also happened to be from the big oil country. If Trump is so utterly concerned about National Security, then why was the one country in which a multitude of terrorists came from on the list. Perhaps big business that Trump could not endure the pain of losing? Perhaps the major effect of Islamophobia that has fallen over our nation? One may truly never know.
Have Your Voice Heard: Become an Odyssey Creator
The way I see it, this is not a war on ISIS nor is it a war on any other Radical-Islam organization. It is an attack on a religion – a religion that has not killed a single U.S. citizen. It is an attack on refugees who want a fresh start in a secure land. Banning Muslim immigrants from a few select nations will not prevent future terrorist attacks. As a nation built on the ideals of democracy, equality, freedom, and security, I am severely angered by the ban that has been made. Banning immigrants from a few select Muslim-majority countries will certainly not reduce any future terror attacks, and it definitely will not eliminate
Stories have piled in as a result of the injustice behind the executive order. Many immigrants who are here legally under visas or permanent residencies are still not being allowed into the nation. One of Trump’s main appeals during the election was the of immigrants: those who are legal may stay and those who are not will leave. The underlying hypocrisy is unveiled at so many levels, as most, if not all, of the Muslim immigrants coming or returning to the states are indeed here LEGAL. Ali Abdi, an Iranian with permanent residency within the U.S. is waiting in Dubai, hoping that he will be able to return to the states when he is done with his field study. Asghar Farhadi, an Iranian director will not be allowed to attend the Oscars for his nomination. Suha Abushamma, a doctor at Cleveland Clinic, was given two choices once she arrived back in the United States: leave the country and voluntarily withdraw her visa, or be forcibly deported, meaning she would not be able to return to the states for set period of time. The stories are ongoing and will continue to grow, showing the lack of morality and justice our president truly has. Sadly, not only have American policies begin to change dramatically, but also our philosophical standpoint. By not allowing refugee, visa holders, or permanent residents into the United States, Trump has proven that a duty to the salvation of humanity is no longer seen as fundamental.
However, I know my anger and disgust against oppression are not valuable solutions. Speaking out is. Action is. The true voice of the American people is. If you are not standing against the oppression of others, if you remain neutral, you are [indeed] part of the oppression. If we do not stand up for what is right, how can we possibly ask others to stand up for us in times of need?
