Everything That’s Gone Down Since Trump Put the Travel Ban into Action
On Friday, President Trump signed an executive order temporarily banning non-US citizens from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Yemen and Somalia from entering the United States for 90 days. The order also suspended the US refugee program for 120 days and indefinitely blocks Syrian refugees from entering the United States. The order has been widely dubbed a “Muslim ban” since the affected countries have majority-Muslim populations.
Trump’s decision has shaken up Americans all across the country. And even though Friday was only three days ago, a lot has transpired since then. If you’re currently feeling overwhelmed with all the information flooding your newsfeed, here’s a straightforward timeline of everything you need to know.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27
- Trump signs the order on Friday afternoon. It is officially titled “Protecting the nation from foreign terrorist entry into the United States.” It puts a temporary hold on people from seven predominantly Muslim countries for 90 days and indefinitely blocks Syrian refugees. Additionally, a briefing given to reporters from the White House initially said that green card holders from those countries would also be banned from re-entering the United States and their admittance would be on a case-by-case basis.
- Shortly after the ban goes into effect, Hameed Khalid Darweesh lands at JFK from Iraq. Darweesh is 53 years old and has worked on behalf of the US government for 10 years as an interpreter, engineer and contractor. Upon arriving in New York, Darweesh makes it through customs but is then stopped by agents. He, his wife and his children are all detained for 19 hours.
- Haider Sameer Abdulkhaleq Alshawi, a 33-year-old accountant born in Baghdad, also lands at JFK. He came directly from Sweden and was en route to meet his wife, who has worked for a US security contractor in Iraq and lives in Texas. He was also detained upon his arrival.
- Thousands of people flock to airports across the US to protest the ban.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28
- The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), along with multiple other pro-immigrant organizations, get news of Darweesh and Alshawi’s situation and file a lawsuit against the government in order to temporarily block the White House order.
- Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is one of the first foreign leaders to comment on Trump’s ban. He tweeted:
To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 28, 2017
- While signing more executive orders, Trump comments on the ban, saying, “It’s working out very nicely. You see it in the airports, you see it all over.”
- By Saturday night, Judge Ann M. Donnelly of the Federal District Court in Brooklyn rules in favor of the ACLU’s case, claiming that sending the travelers home could cause “irreparable harm.” The ruling is temporary though, and does not require Trump’s administration to admit people who have not yet traveled to the United States.
BREAKING: NYTWA drivers call for one hour work stoppage @ JFK airport today 6 PM to 7 PM to protest #muslimban! #nobannowall
— NY Taxi Workers (@NYTWA) January 28, 2017
Surge pricing has been turned off at #JFK Airport. This may result in longer wait times. Please be patient.
— Uber NYC (@Uber_NYC) January 29, 2017
- The New York Taxi Workers Alliance sends out a tweet asking drivers to avoid JFK from 6-7pm EST to show support for the protesters. Meanwhile, Uber sends out a tweet announcing they’ve turned surge pricing off. Uber’s response to the taxi strike quickly resulted in the emergence of the hashtag #deleteuber. Hundreds of people have since taken to social media to share screenshots of themselves deleting the app for attempting to profit off of the immigration crisis.
Statistics pic.twitter.com/aSpyFuabct
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) January 29, 2017
- Kim Kardashian takes to Twitter to share statistics revealing the number of American killed by immigrants. This image is subsequently shared by other celebrities and people on social media throughout the weekend.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29
- Protests continue at airports across the country. Additionally, an organized protest occurs in Battery Park in New York.
- Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly clarifies that green card holders should not be banned under the new executive order. One day prior, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security told Reuters that the ban DID apply to green card holders. According to a report by CNN, the specifics may have been debated internally between the Department of Homeland Security and White House aides Steve Bannon and Stephen Miller. Kelly’s statement writes, “I hereby deem the entry of lawful permanent residents to be in the national interest.” The specifics are still murky though.
- The SAG Awards air in LA. The night is dominated by politically fueled speeches about immigrants, refugees, diversity and inclusivity. See those here.
- Ivanka Trump posts a picture of herself and her husband Jared Kushner (a senior advisor to President Trump) dressed in formalwear. The photo sparks outrage, many deeming it inappropriate and insensitive considering the political climate.
- President Trump releases a statement saying that the travel order is “not a Muslim ban,” and blames the media for spinning it that way. In the statement, he writes, “America is a proud nation of immigrants and we will continue to show compassion to those fleeing oppression, but we will do so while protecting our own citizens and border.”
- Mention of the judicial branch mysteriously goes missing from the White House’s website. It then reappears by the next morning.
MONDAY, JANUARY 30
- Britons residing in the UK also protest the travel ban and create a petition that has now received over 1.5 million signatures asking for the UK government to disinvite Donald Trump to the country. Trump is slated to meet the Queen during a state visit this year.
- Former President Barack Obama’s office releases a statement Monday morning supporting the protests happening around the country. His spokesman Kevin Lewis writes, “With regard to comparisons to President Obama’s foreign policy decisions, as we’ve heard before, the President fundamentally disagrees with the notion of discriminating against individuals because of their faith or religion.” He continues to say Obama “is heartened by the level of engagement taking place in communities around the country.”
We will continue to update as major events surrounding this ban transpire.
(Photo via Getty)