Protests Erupt at JFK Airport Following Iraqi Refugees Detainment

Pizza Angels feed protesters At JFK Airport.

New Yor, 01 Jumadil Akhir 1438/29 January 2017 (MINA) – Protests erupted at John F. Kennedy International Airport following the detainment of two Iraqi refugees and in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s latest executive action on immigration.

Two Iraqis were on flights to the US when President Trump signed an executive order that temporarily closes US borders to refugees.

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One of the refugees, who was later released, was named Hameed Darweesh, who worked for the US government in Iraq and was detained for about 18 hours in JFK airport.

In the midst of this action, and within hours, several demonstrators gathered as word spread on social media. They carried signs and chanted to call for the release of the two men, KUNA reported.

New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo expressed in a statement posted in his Twitter account, that he never thought he would see the day when refugees, who have fled war-torn countries in search of a better life, would be turned away at “our” doorsteps.

“We are a nation of bridges, not walls,” he tweeted.

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The great city of immigrants

On the same executive action taken by President Trump, Mayor Bill de Blasio also said in a statement that he is profoundly saddened by the President’s order on immigration.

“We are a country founded on the belief of religious pluralism and equality, Today the President send a shamefully different message,” he expressed.

He called New York City as the great city of immigrants, affirming that its people will remain true to their values.

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Trump signed an executive order yesterday banning for 30 days visas for citizens of Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Somalia and Libya.

Trump’s order goes further with a full ban, and suspends the US Refugee Admissions Program for 120 days while its practices are investigated.

When the program is back in operation, it will only apply to nationals from select countries approved by the Administration. (T/RS05/RS01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)

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