Beyond Compare!

Editorial By- Sukhpreet Giani

President Donald Trump got into action in the most unexpected way by signing an executive order to start planning for the border wall he promised to build during the presidential campaign. After signing the order he was prompt to say that the construction could start within months. In addition, he also expressed plans to increase the deportation force in the United States.  Also he took another step that would take him closer to fulfilling one more election promise;he suspended all refugee admissions to the United States for 120 days. He also banned travel from seven majority Muslim countries- Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Syria, Sudan, Libya and Yemen — for 90 days. It was expected that he would start fulfilling his election promises, but in such a ruthless manner!

There have been reports of chaos, confusion about permanent residents and green card holders due to conflicting advice sent to airlines by the White House.  Such travelers were able to board the flights to the United States, but were “expected” to undergo extra and stringent screening. Such travelers now needed to meet a consular officer and seek a case-by-case visa waiver to return home.  However, there have been reports of green card holders trying to return from holidays, business being stopped in foreign airports. These are people who have made United States their permanent home are now being subjected to travel restrictions. While top aides of Donald Trump claimed the number as “a couple of dozen”, the figure quoted by media in United States was 109. Canadians in transit also have to undergo many new formalities.

Reactions from the Americans have been amazing! Federal Judge Ann Donnelly virtually handed over a victory to the lawyers challenging the executive order barring immigrants and travelers from seven majority Muslim countries from entering the US by granting a stay.  Another bold step came from Attorney General Sally Yates and soon Donald Trump came back into action and dismissed Sally Yates for “refusing to enforce a legal order designed to protect the citizens of the United States.” President Donald Trump added another first of its kind in his action as he didn’t call Yates to dismiss her; she was informed by hand-delivered letter.  While President Donald Trump was busy with his antics, and was facing backlash for calling the media “the official opposition”, lawyers accompanied by interpreters were there at airports to help those detained on arrival. Canada too came up with a good intended offer to those stranded. Canada said it would offer temporary residence to those stranded in the country by the ban.

President Donald Trump in an unexplained hurry to fulfill his cherished dreams has brought out the worst of his psyche resulting in unification of majority of Americans, various organizations that have moved to support the troubled immigrants and even the world leaders. The “clarification” from him too came with a criticism of media.   “To be clear, this is not a Muslim ban, as the media is falsely reporting. This is not about religion -this is about terror and keeping our country safe,” he said. Soon he was back slugging insults at Senators John McCain fellow Republicans who criticized the ban by calling them “weak on immigration” and even alleged that “they were looking to start World War III”. He hasn’t realized the kind of distrust that Americans have been holding for him, and reaction from US biggest ally says it all. A petition calling on the United Kingdom to cancel Donald Trump’s state visit has reached 500,000 signatures.  Within United States, Harley Davidson decided it was uncomfortable hosting President Donald Trump amid planned protest. Trump was going to tour the factory. What an irony, he can’t travel within United States, and allies don’t prefer him to visit.

The selection of the seven countries by President Donald Trump also defies all logic. Fifteen of the nineteen 9/11 attackers came from Saudi Arabia, the rest came from the Lebanon, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates.None of these countries are on the banned list – nor is Pakistan, where the Taliban and al Qaeda have bases, or Tunisia – the biggest supplier of fighters to Islamic State. Belgium or France which are the home countries of numerous terrorists behind recent attacks are also not on the list. Donald Trump appears not in a mood to back down despite facing a global backlash against his immigration refugee ban. His claim that his action would stop “bad dudes” getting into the United States is only making him the biggest “bad dude” that the world has witnessed over centuries.

President Donald Trump in a short span has reached a stage that is beyond compare and has taken the image of United States as a tolerant society to a condition beyond repair.