By Sarah Baker with contributions from Ivan Sitohang
Although the student body’s Muslim population is not affiliated with any of the seven countries listed in the executive order, fear still prevented them from wanting to go on the record.
“Even before the Trump election, people were harassed. I think I have to protect myself, because some of his supporters actually believe that every Muslim is a bad person.” Said an anonymous Muslim student.
“I have a lot of friends and family outside the U.S. that are concerned for me, other students, and other Muslim people too.”
The executive order President Donald Trump signed on January 27 spurred nationwide conversation over the country’s immigration policies, and furthermore, the extent to which his presidential power can reach.
The executive order barred refugees from entering the nation, as well as halted the entry of travelers from seven predominantly Muslim countries.
On Thursday February 2, the appeals court upheld a temporary block on the ban, an action that included no reasoning, and did not place any major ruling on presidential power; a hopeful precedent for Peninsula College Director of International Programs Sophia Iliakis-Doherty.
“The ban does not affect our current student body, but this presidency does affect the flow of international students and people altogether. It’s not any one executive order. It’s him. It’s him and what he’s shown of his intolerance of people that are not like him.” Doherty reflects.
“I think — in fact, I know — there has been expressed concern from all countries with what he’s going to do with immigration, with his own personal intolerance. It’s not just Muslim or African American or Latino or Asian. It’s anyone who’s different. President Trump appears to be a person who does not support diversity. There is concern from agencies, from sponsors around the world, that America is no longer a welcoming nation.”
The anonymous student feels that there is an “American misinterpretation” of what a Muslim actually is.
“Muslim, or should I say, general Islam, is a religion just like Christianity. It is completely unrelated to why someone would engage in bad deeds. If anyone is curious about Islam itself, they should ask someone who knows better, which is a Muslim and not television or the internet. Those mechanisms manipulate media to serve people what they want to believe instead of what they need to see.”
Many travelers and refugees who had already obtained visas were detained after their planes touched down on U.S. soil.
Numerous citizens responded through protests, comparable in size to the Women’s Marches following President Trump’s inauguration.
The resulting rallies primarily took place in and around many international airports in large cities, including the SeaTac International Airport.
“The executive order definitely helps to perpetuate Islamophobia, but at the same time, it’s rejuvenating the opposite. We’re seeing parades, we’re seeing marches against it. It’s not what this country is about, and at the end of the day, anybody who does not believe in intolerance is going to stand up against it.” Says Doherty.
“If there’s anything I can say that’s nice about this administration, it’s, ‘thanks for pissing people off, because you’ve done a great job.’”