New Immigration Order Sparks Protests in Major U.S. Airports

Protests were held in several major US airports against the new immigration policy of the Trump government. The new policy bans citizens of seven predominantly Muslim nations from entering the US. These seven nations are Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen.

Some citizens were being detained because of this 120-day ban on refugees arriving from these nations. Several US cities however have offered themselves as sanctuary cities for refugees, like New York City. Protesters, lawyers and advocates sought the release of some of those detained.

According to Fox News, there was this case of an Iranian woman who was detained upon arriving at the Los Angeles International Airport. She was traveling with her 1-year old child. The woman, Talia Inlender said she had been approved to become an American citizen and was slated for her oath-taking in February.

Among the political leaders and celebrities who expressed objection to this new immigration policy are former Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, members of Congress, New York Democrats Jerrold Nadler and Nydia Velazquez, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Chicago's Mayor Rahm Emanuel and "Sex and the City" actress Cynthia Nixon.

Former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said in her Twitter account, "I stand with the people gathered across the country tonight defending our values & our Constitution. This is not who we are." She also said that the recent actions have tarnished America's standing as a beacon of hope for the free world.

The two members of Congress, New York Democrats Jerrold Nadler and Nydia Velazquez, spent part of the day at kennedy airport to win the release of some detained refugees. They said that this should not be happening in America and that they shouldn't be demanding the release of refugees one by one.

Similar protests occurred in the following airports: JFK Airport in NY, Newark Liberty International Airport in NJ, Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia, Denver International Airport, O'Hare in Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in Dallas, Seattle-Tacoma Airport in Seattle, Portland International Airport in Oregon, Los Angeles International Airport, SFO International Airport, and in San Diego International Airport.