By Noe Ramos |Staff Writer|
President Donald Trump’s executive order regarding the immigration of Muslims from the seven selected countries and suspension on entry of refugees from Syria has caused conflicted responses among CSUSB students.
There are people that are furious with what is happening, those who feel emotionally distraught, while others compromise with the situation.
Many took in the facts being presented and then began to have second thoughts with their own opinion.
Due to certain situations occurring across the country, there are mixed opinions regarding the President’s executive order and what he has put into motion.
Protests have occurred throughout all over the country this past week, as well as on our very own campus.
Students have been speaking their mind in light of current events.
“[The executive order] really isn’t necessary […] it really doesn’t help anything at all, it kind of just reinforces the negative stereotype that people already have of that culture,” said Matthew Edwards, a student, baffled by the fact that a certain group of people has to be denied from entering the United States.
For others, the executive order has brought upon personal concerns and issues held close to the heart.
“Coming from a Muslim background, it terrifies me that a man like Trump can implement such a thing,” said student Atoshi Khosru.
“So many innocent foreigners come to America to give their children a better life and that’s what my parent did. My family and I were home that day watching the news […] It all just seems unreal and inhumane,” continued Khosru.
Others argue that despite the executive order, despite being labeled as a “Muslim Ban,” is not actually a ban on Muslims.
“People from war torn nations, where terrorists exist must be controlled, if not stopped. I’ve had conversations with Muslims from Islam nations who actually agree with this!,” said Matthew Miller, a student.
“So you understand, its not a banning of Muslims […] It’s banning people from hostile terrorist countries. President Carter did the same thing during the Iran Crisis in 79′,” continued Miller.
Rama Al-Shreteh, student and Public Relations Officer of the Muslim Student Association (MSA), acknowledges the arguments.
“But it is is a fact that it discriminates against people on the basis of their national origin which undermines the core values that we as Americans believe in and overlooks the struggles of […] civil rights leader like Martin Luther King Jr. or Susan B. Anthony,” said Al-Shreteh.
Asia Pham is another student who disagrees with the executive order. Pham’s concerns stem from her family background of being a daughter of refugees, who fled from Vietnam and Laos.
“I am still trying to process through all my emotions, especially considering how multifaceted this new policy is and the long term impact it will surely have for all those involved,” said Pham.
Additionally, Pham is reminiscent of the United States’ past decision to turn away Jewish refugees from Germany shortly before WWII.
Especially since the decision was made on Holocaust Remembrance Day, where the U.S.’s decision to turn away refugees led them to be killed at Auschwitz and other internment camps.
“It is inconceivable to begin to imagine the agonizing fear that refugee families are collectively experiencing at this time,” said Pham.
To Pham, while the current concerns are an issue, she is more concerned about the uncertainty the future holds.
“To be informed that what was once an opportunity of hope to take refuge in a safe haven may now be delayed or permanently revoked all together is heartbreaking,” said Pham.
There are people that are on opposite sides of the situations at hand, demonstrating a major division in American society.
As more executive actions are being enacted throughout Trump’s first few weeks in office, public opinion and awareness of issues at hand continue to shift and grow.
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