By Noah Bell and Bergan O’Connell
Theme Editors
Costa students come from a variety of countries including Australia, Netherlands, China, Taiwan, France and Italy. While it is currently not in effect, President Donald Trump’s executive order banning immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries has ignited a nationwide focus and discussion on international diversity.
“To [the Trump Administration], the country you happened to have been born in determines everything they need to know about you,” said senior Zoobia Jilani, who immigrated from Pakistan. “Having a green passport instead of a blue one ultimately makes you a threat.”
If Trump’s executive order were in effect, a 120-day suspension would have been placed on refugee admission; a 90-day ban on immigration from seven different Muslim countries that have a history of producing radical Islamists, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen; and an indefinite ban on refugees from Syria.
“I support Trump’s immigration ban, and I think people look at it out of perspective because he is just trying to ensure the security of our country,” Costa senior Jackson Weaver said.
Although the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied the Trump Administration’s request to lift the temporary hold put on the ban by a Seattle judge on Feb. 4, the White House’s actions have sparked social activism among not only those immediately impacted, but also immigrants from around the world. Many students have taken part in protests, rallies, walks and demonstrations, including those at LAX International Airport and Los Angeles City Hall, both of which occurred in late January and early February, respectively.
Check out our photos of Mira Costa students born in foreign countries.
“I think [President Trump’s] immigration ban stands against everything America is known and loved for, which is acceptance of other cultures,” said senior Emily Angiolini, who immigrated from Italy. “We are supposed to be a safe haven for people in need of help who are in search of a better future.”
With its emergency request denied in the appeals court, the White House plans on continuing to push for immigration restrictions in the future, despite resistance from immigrants of many nations.
“I think the ban goes against all the things that make Americans proud of their nationality,” said senior Amelie Vergnolle, who immigrated from France. “My parents and I are now U.S. citizens, but if we weren’t, and a ban like that was implemented in France, my dad would not be let back into the country if he was coming home from a business trip. Looking at it from such a personal perspective makes me realize how messed up the ban idea was from the start.”
Leave a Reply