Trump's Travel Ban: What Does It Mean?

With all of the goals that the Trump administration has been working towards in the very short amount of time since Trump has officially taken office, a lot of confusion has surfaced in response. The most confusion, as of now, seems to be in regard to the "travel ban" (more technically referred to as "executive order 13769"). With all of the rumors spreading around this issue, it’s hard to know what is fact and what is propaganda. Let’s clear up some of the confusion in hopes that you can form an opinion based on facts.

What is the travel ban?

The travel ban is a temporary ban on entry visas for people from seven predominantly Muslim countries. Specifically, the countries included are Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Yemen, and Somalia. The ban will prohibit travel into the United States from these countries for 90 days. Additionally, the travel ban will prohibit all refugee admission from any country for 120 days. The idea and overall goal is that this will allow time to review the current security measures and update them to allow refugees and immigrants with noble intentions access while rebuffing possible terrorists from using those means to enter our country. The travel ban is in effect for 90 days from the date it was signed (January 27th, 2017) and all new refugee admission is banned for 120 days after the initial signing of the ban (January 27th, 2017).

What is the purpose of the travel ban?

Trump implemented the travel ban in order to give the secretary of state, secretary of homeland security, director of national intelligence, and the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation time to improve vetting procedures for immigrants as a whole. Especially from countries deemed "countries of concern" by the Obama administration (Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Yemen, and Somalia). This executive order was implemented because some foreign-born individuals who had been linked to terrorism-related crimes had been coming to America through the use of visiting, student, or employment visas, or the refugee program. President Trump’s travel ban is seeking to attempt to fix this issue during the time that the travel ban is in effect. Trump has spoken out, reassuring the people that––despite the specific countries effected by the ban––that this is NOT "a Muslim ban" and that his only intentions were to "[keep] our country safe".

What are the benefits? What are the drawbacks?

If the intentions of the travel ban are successful, then future terrorist attacks could be prevented. However, some fear that the travel ban has the potential to offend Muslims and aid in terrorist recruitment by implying to Muslims from these seven countries that Americans don’t want Muslims in our country (whether this was the intention or not).

Who is against it and what can they do?

Many CEO’s are speaking out against the travel ban (including Ford, Tesla, Google, Apple, Starbucks, Amazon, General Electric, and other unlisted companies) in an attempt to resist it. There are also at least three reported federal judges against it, including Judge Ann Donnelly, who issued an emergency ruling which temporarily blocks the immigration ban from kicking out anyone who has already arrived. A Rasmussen Poll also reported that 33% of Americans are against it. Additionally, lawyers have been sighted amongst protesters holding signs reading "free legal help" in opposition. A lot of Americans oppose the travel ban on the grounds that it is unconstitutional and unAmerican. 

If you are opposed to the travel ban, then you can write a letter to a federal judge in hopes of getting the executive order changed or amended. And, as the past has displayed, peaceful protesting can go a long way no matter what side of this controversial issue you’re on.

How does the travel ban effect individuals who have dual-citizenship or are immigrant Americans?

The travel ban should only affect dual-citizen Americans and immigrant Americans in so much as they will be subjected to extra screening before coming back into the States. Ideally, the effect will be limited to a minor inconvenience upon re-entry (as long as the immigrants personal background checks out).

Obviously, this is a very complex issue with some very convoluted and unique problems. It’s important to remember that while issues like this tend to make us feel divided, that the freedom to disagree with our peers and those in power is part of what makes America great.