If you are affected by this executive order please take a moment to fill out our survey here. It will help us set our demands and reach the needs of everyone affected.
This is not legal advice. We are collecting all the information cited in multiple credible sources and will update regularly. We have done our best to link all the websites we have used for this information. If you are planning to travel abroad and believe you might be affected by the Executive Order, please use the information on Resources.
How does the Executive Order target our community at Columbia?
The Executive Order bans entry of valid visa holders and green card holders from seven targeted Muslim majority countries. The initial ban on entering the U.S. is for 90 days. The list of targeted countries is based on the discriminatory visa waiver bill (H.R.158) passed in 2015 shortly after Trump called for a Muslim ban. It will bar entry for aliens from Iran, Syria, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Sudan, and Somalia. The order says that, after the 90 day suspension of entry, the Department of State and Homeland Security will present a report of countries that do not provide enough information to the U.S. to ensure visa applicants from that country are not a threat. The President will then ban all entrants from those countries.
SOURCE: NIAC
Who is affected:
- Nationals of the seven targeted Muslim majority countries (Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen)
- Dual nationals of the seven targeted Muslim majority countries.
SOURCE: CNN - Green card holders will be subject to case-by-case exemption
SOURCE: Department of Homeland Security
What is GWC international working group doing?
1 –
- Asking President Bollinger to make a statement and take action
- GWC wrote to President Bollinger on Saturday 28 January, asking him to make a public statement urgently, taking a stance against this racist discriminatory Executive Order, and committing to support affected students, starting with meeting us next week. Letter One
- In response, on Saturday night President Bollinger sent out an email to the Columbia community. President Bollinger’s Email
- GWC then wrote to President Bollinger again asking to make a public statement denouncing the Executive Order in order to reach the Trump administration, the press and the general public, as well as inviting him to speak at the rally. Letter Two
- In response, President Bollinger’s statement was published in the Columbia Spectator and quoted in The Guardian’s liveblog (see entry at 18.39).
2 –
- Making sure the university protects affected students
- GWC is holding an emergency meeting on Monday January 30 at 12pm in the Lehman Center for students at Columbia University who think they may be affected by the new Presidential Executive Order against immigrants and refugees from Muslim majority countries. We will be sharing experiences and concerns and brainstorming ideas for ways in which Columbia’s administration can commit to support affected students. This is followed by an open meeting at 1pm for all allies of the cause who are outraged by the racist EO, and have ideas and contacts. We will be building upon strategies, planning the rally, and making posters. Bring any poster making material you have, all your ideas and your time. https://www.facebook.com/events/377584585930859/
- Data gathering survey on affected students
- Petition the university for specific provisions, financial commitment, and support
- Legal advice workshop on Friday February 3 with David Austell, head of ISSO and representatives of CUNY Clear. Time and location TBA.
3 –
- Public action and denouncement
- GWC has organized a rally on Monday January 30 at 5pm at Low steps. The rally is for all Columbia community and includes speakers from GWC, affected undergraduate and graduate students, members of faculty: Professor Rashid Khalidi, Professor Mana Kia, Professor Hamid Dabashi, representatives of student organizations on campus including: Student Organize for Syria, Arab Students Association (Turtah), Muslim Students Association, African Students Association, Columbia Iranian Students Association — https://www.facebook.com/events/1756927907968172/1758087151185581/
– Take a moment to fill out our survey here. It will help us set our demands and reach the needs of everyone affected.
– Come to the Emergency Meeting on Monday January 30 at 12pm in Lehman Center at International Affairs Building
– Come to the Rally on Monday, January 30 at 5pm on Low steps
– Join the Muslim Students Association for a prayer service on Friday, February 3 at 1PM Low Steps
– Come to the Rights and Resilience: Responding to the EO on Immigration panel on Friday, February 3 at 5PM Law School
– Use our Resources
– Come to the Emergency Meeting on Monday January 30 at 1pm in Lehman Center at International Affairs Building
– Come to the Rally on Monday January 30 at 5pm on Low steps
– Join the Muslim Students Association for a prayer service on Friday, February 3 at 1PM Low Steps
– Come to the Rights and Resilience: Responding to the EO on Immigration panel on Friday, February 3 at 5PM Law School
– Call your Senators and Representatives
– February 1, Call to Congress Event
– Call your representatives and demand action. This affects dual citizens and has effectively created different levels and tiers of citizenship in your country. It has made people based on their country of origin second class citizens. Effectively in regards to the United States, this Executive Order has de-naturalized citizens of your country with dual nationality. Within a day and much public outrage and grassroot organization, the British and Canadian governments have taken action on behalf of their dual citizens. Demand your country to do the same and more!
Resources
- Get in touch or more involved with GWC international working group
- Contact David Austell at ISSO– david.austell@columbia.edu
- CUNY CLEAR
- NIAC– National Iranian American Council
- ADC – American Arab anti-Discrimination Committee
- ACLU – American Civil Liberties Union
- #MuslimBan Resource Guide
From The Nation
Arab American Association of NY (AAANY): AAANY supports and empowers the Arab Immigrant and Arab American community by providing services to help immigrants adjust to new homes and become active members of society. Their aim is for families to achieve the ultimate goals of independence, productivity and stability.
National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON): NDLON works to improve the lives of day laborers in the US. With member organizations across the country, NDLON works to unify and strengthen its base in efforts to develop strategic and effective leadership, mobilization and organizing campaigns.
CAIR: The Council on American Islamic Relations has fought for the civil rights of American Muslims. There are 30 nationwide affiliates, defending, representing, and educating over 1 million Muslims in the New York area.
Families for Freedom (FFF): FFF is a multiethnic human-rights organization in NYC run by and for individuals and families facing and fighting deportation. FFF organizers are immigrant prisoners, former prisoners, their families, or those at risk of deportation. Their aim is to empower immigrant communities as communities of color, and to be a guiding voice in the fight for human rights.
Grassroots leadership: Located in Austin, Texas, Grassroots Leadership believes “no one should profit from the imprisonment of human beings” and they “work for a more just society where prison profiteering, mass incarceration, deportation, and criminalization are things of the past.” They are currently organizing Sanctuary in the Streets Training to build sanctuary networks through direct action and organizing throughout Texas.
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS): HIAS brings the lessons of its history and Jewish ethics and experience to our commitment to serve refugees and other displaced persons of concern around the world through the following values: Welcoming, Dignity and Respect, Empowerment, Excellence and Innovation, Collaboration and Teamwork, and Accountability. If you’re not in New York, HIAS also works with a variety of refugee resettlement organizations across the country.
Make the Road New York (MRNY): MRNY builds the power of Latino and working-class communities to achieve dignity and justice through organizing, policy innovation, and transformative education. Its campaigns include expanding civil rights, promoting health, improving housing, achieving workplace justice, improving public education, and empowering youth. It has recently launched a group called Aliados for allies of immigrants to join the fight. You can sign up for their next meeting here.