Dulles Airport Protest Welcomes Immigrants Blocked By Trump Order

DULLES, VA — As soon as the effects of President Donald Trump's executive order began to be felt in the United States with immigrants and refugees traveling from the seven countries currently banned from entering the United States as immigrants and non-immigrants, lawyers, politicians and demonstrators made their voices heard, demanding that anyone being detained at various airports, including at Dulles International Airport, due to the order be allowed entry into the U.S.

Speaking at Dulles, Virginia Gov. Terry McAulifee said he had directed the state's attorney general to look at all legal remedies available to help individuals who are stuck at Dulles.

"You board a plane to come to America, you have the right to come to this country and yet when you land you are detained," he said.

A large number of people gathered at Dulles' international arrivals section to welcome immigrants and refugees.

Trump's executive order signed Friday bans the entry of individuals from certain countries as immigrants and non-immigrants for 90 days. The countries are not named in the order but several news outlets reported that those countries include Iraq, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Iran, Yemen and Sudan. The order also bans the resettlement of refugees for four months and indefinitely suspends the entry of Syrian refugees. Once refugees are permitted to enter the country again, claims will be prioritized on the basis of religious-based persecution, provided that the religion of the individual is a minority religion in his or her respective country.

The ban on certain foreigners has caused real problems for real people. Nationals of those seven countries traveling to the U.S. the day after the order was signed faced uncertainty about whether they would be allowed entry to the country. The order exempts certain diplomats traveling to the United States but does not mention those legally residing in the country as lawful permanent residents or with student or employment visas who might be returning to the U.S.

SEE ALSO:

• Immigrants, Refugees Stopped By Trump Order From Entering US; Legal Challenge Filed

In New York, lawyers for two Iraqis who had been granted visas to enter the United States and were detained at John F. Kennedy airport, have filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging Trump's Jan. 27 executive order. One of the men, who worked as a translator for the U.S. military and faced imminent danger, has since been released. Protesters gathered at JFK where around 20 people are currently being detained, according to attorneys with the International Refugee Assistance Project. The Chicago Sun Times reported that three people traveling from Iran were being detained at O'Hare Airport, according to an immigration attorney. NBC Philadelphia reported two Syrian families detained at Philadelphia Airport were sent home on a return flight.

It is unclear how many people are being detained across the U.S. at various ports of entry. Media reports that came trickling in during the day mentioned people being removed from flights or some who had cancelled their trips over fears they would not be allowed to enter.

The ACLU has lawyers stationed at airports across the country.

"If you know someone entering country, tell them not to sign anything before talking to lawyer," the ACLU tweeted.

Image Credit: Simone Wilson/Patch