On January 27th, 2017, President Trump*** issued an executive order banning individuals from seven Muslim majority countries from entering the United States, due to security concerns. See the web address below to read the executive order. The order specifically says the purpose is to prevent 9/11 attacks. "Section 1. Purpose. The visa-issuance process plays a crucial role in detecting individuals with terrorist ties and stopping them from entering the United States. Perhaps in no instance was that more apparent than the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, when State Department policy prevented consular officers from properly scrutinizing the visa applications of several of the 19 foreign nationals who went on to murder nearly 3,000 Americans. And while the visa-issuance process was reviewed and amended after the September 11 attacks to better detect would-be terrorists from receiving visas, these measures did not stop attacks by foreign nationals who were admitted to the United States." Which it fails at because none of the attackers on 9/11 were from the banned countries.
However, thats not what I'm most concerned about. What I'm most concerned about is: (b) Upon the resumption of USRAP admissions, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, is further directed to make changes, to the extent permitted by law, to prioritize refugee claims made by individuals on the basis of religious-based persecution, provided that the religion of the individual is a minority religion in the individual's country of nationality. Where necessary and appropriate, the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security shall recommend legislation to the President that would assist with such prioritization. As stated previously, the ban effects Muslim Majority countries. So, Christians, Buddhists, Hindus and so on, would be prioritized over Muslims. The first Amendment to the Constitution I think applies here: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." According to the Cornell University law school (see web address below): It forbids Congress from both promoting one religion over others and also restricting an individual’s religious practices.
Now, I'm no lawyer, but this one seems pretty clear to me. The executive order is promoting religions, at the expense of Islam. I can only hope that the reason for the prioritization is due to the administrations belief that Christians are persecuted more by ISIS than Muslims. Thats a mistake. Muslims by far have the most victimized group. (see the NPR article address below.) To be Muslim doesnt save a person from ISIS wrath. Only submission and assimilation into ISIS can do that, maybe. Thats why the USA shouldnt give religion a consideration, the focus should be on vetting. To save a refugee family from these war torn regions of Iraq and Syria in particular, is to prevent individuals from being forced to support ISIS. Think Game of Thrones, Jon Snow saves wildlings to prevent them from becoming White Walkers.
I would also say that while the Constitution may not apply outside the USA, so refugees may not be covered by its rights, the Constitution does apply to us, and we should live up to its principles.
However, thats not what I'm most concerned about. What I'm most concerned about is: (b) Upon the resumption of USRAP admissions, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, is further directed to make changes, to the extent permitted by law, to prioritize refugee claims made by individuals on the basis of religious-based persecution, provided that the religion of the individual is a minority religion in the individual's country of nationality. Where necessary and appropriate, the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security shall recommend legislation to the President that would assist with such prioritization. As stated previously, the ban effects Muslim Majority countries. So, Christians, Buddhists, Hindus and so on, would be prioritized over Muslims. The first Amendment to the Constitution I think applies here: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." According to the Cornell University law school (see web address below): It forbids Congress from both promoting one religion over others and also restricting an individual’s religious practices.
Now, I'm no lawyer, but this one seems pretty clear to me. The executive order is promoting religions, at the expense of Islam. I can only hope that the reason for the prioritization is due to the administrations belief that Christians are persecuted more by ISIS than Muslims. Thats a mistake. Muslims by far have the most victimized group. (see the NPR article address below.) To be Muslim doesnt save a person from ISIS wrath. Only submission and assimilation into ISIS can do that, maybe. Thats why the USA shouldnt give religion a consideration, the focus should be on vetting. To save a refugee family from these war torn regions of Iraq and Syria in particular, is to prevent individuals from being forced to support ISIS. Think Game of Thrones, Jon Snow saves wildlings to prevent them from becoming White Walkers.
I would also say that while the Constitution may not apply outside the USA, so refugees may not be covered by its rights, the Constitution does apply to us, and we should live up to its principles.
Right now, on 2/6/17, the ban is lifted, temporarily. It could be put back in place. Thats why its so important for you to make your voice heard by Congress. Congress still has the power to remove the Muslim travel ban if it has to. Thats why I ask you to call your Senators and Congressman, tell them to stand up for religious freedom in our country. To stand up for our Muslim citizens. To stand up for sensible tactics in fighting ISIS. Tell them to speak out against the Muslim Travel ban. If you need to find the number for your representatives in congress, click the two links in the right hand column for the US Senate and the US house of representatives.
http://www.npr.org/2017/01/29/512305163/fact-check-trump-tweets-on-christians-isis-and-vetting-miss-the-bigger-picture
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/01/27/executive-order-protecting-nation-foreign-terrorist-entry-united-states
https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/first_amendment
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