President Trump's Executive Order Effects Southern Miss Students
President Trump's executive order on immigration is being challenged.
President Donald Trump issued an executive order Friday, January 27 that initially was
intended
to suspend new refugee admissions for 120 days. This order also banned travelers from Muslim-majority countries such as Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Sudan, Libya and Somalia for a total of 90 days. Syrian refugees were banned indefinitely.
The order caused confusion in airports across the country ultimately leaving refugees in legal limbo including students at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS.
Director of International Student and Scholar Services at USM, Suzanne Omran says that all students have been affected.
"We do have five students currently on campus who are effected by the ban because their countries are listed. However, there are additional clauses within that executive order that essentially affect all our students and the entire international student population as well as international scholars who might be visiting for research or visiting professors as well as some faculty members."
Spanish professor, Luisa Garrido Baez says she is discouraged and has lost all hope.
“I cannot believe that this president is affecting me and my daily life that much that I am thinking ‘Should I leave this country? Would I feel better going somewhere else?’”
One Muslim student, Wisam Beauti believes the refugees pose no threat to the United States.
“They don’t care about anybody else, they’re not going to plot against the American people just because their government isn’t giving them their rights. They are coming here to escape that. It's a natural instinct to want better for yourself and better for your family and your children, definitely.”
Beauti says she's respects that President Trump is taking action, she believes he is true to his word and does what he thinks is right.
"He said 'I'm going to ban Muslims, I'm going to build a wall, I'm going to deport so many immigrants and illegal aliens.. At first I was thinking to myself, He doesn't have any jurisdiction in that area. He can't build a wall. He can't physically take people and put them back in their country."
Omran tells students not to leave the country for the fear of them not being able to return.
"Right now we've said if you're a student from one of the seven named countries 'Don't Leave!' If a new ruling comes down and reinstates that “ban,” they will not be able to re-enter the country.”
If you're a University of Southern Miss student and/or have been affected by the order and have any questions call, 601-266-4841 to reach the International Student and Scholar Services.