Duluth reacts to Trump’s Immigration Ban

Shock, confusion and disbelief. These were some of the reactions Americans had to President Donald Trump’s executive order halting immigration from seven predominantly Muslim countries including Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Iran, Somalia, Libya and Yemen.

Trump's executive order bars citizens of these countries from entering the United States for 90 days and suspends the admission of all refugees for 120 days.

Travelers who fit the ban's criteria and were already in the air headed for the United States when Trump signed the executive order were stopped and detained upon arrival at US airports. Others with valid visas and airline tickets were prevented from boarding planes destined for the United States. Some people were stranded in foreign countries as airlines and foreign airport officials scrambled to understand and comply with the new US immigration policy.

Trump’s executive order has left a number of students, teachers and families in Duluth worried for their safety.

The Director of Police at The University of Minnesota Duluth, Sean Huls, said that their aim to protect those at UMD is ingrained in the Police Department’s mission statement.

The mission statement reads as follows: “To serve the University and surrounding community in a professional and ethical manner and to provide safety and security equally to all members of the community.”

The Mayor of Duluth, Emily Larson, upholds a similar mission.

“I stand with UMD and our community in welcoming the diverse views and experiences of people who are refugees or immigrants in Duluth. While the literal impact of executive orders may not have numerical significance here in Duluth, it’s not the numbers that matter. It’s the stories of families and the hope of students—those elements of humanity which cannot be taken away, confined by walls or legislated into hatred. We are a safe and welcoming community. We plan to stay that way,” Larson said.

No immediate changes will be taking place in Duluth regarding Trump’s executive order. For the meantime people are coming together to support one another and voice their thoughts and feelings.