Effects of the U.S. Immigration Ban

After the executive order for the immigration ban has been signed by President Donald Trump, there has been chaos and confusion that affected people. It seems that it didn’t only affect the citizens of the seven countries included in the order but the whole world.

• The order was vague.

Since it was an executive order, it was implemented immediately after being signed. However, its contents were very vague which left the great authority to local enforcements assigned to ports and borders. As a result, there was chaos, indiscriminate detentions, and questionings. Some people who were detained even said that they were not given access to legal consultation, being forced to sign documents that pertain to giving up their rights, and their phone was confiscated.

• All people who came from the seven countries were quickly detained in airports.

While Trump was signing the order, there are already citizens from the affected countries who have already boarded the plane towards the country. As a result, all of them were quickly detained in airports all over the country. Even those who have approved refugees, valid visa holders, legal residents, and non-US dual citizens were all barred from planes.

• There was confusion regarding the dual nationals.

Many people are quick to point out about people who have visas from another country and from one of the barred seven countries. Canada and Britain quickly communicated with the U.S. government and inquire about their citizens. After a few days, it has been cleared that dual nationals won’t be affected and will be able to enter the U.S. without any problems.

• Universities and businesses are also affected.

There are thousands of doctors, students, researchers, engineers, and other employees that were already banned. There are reports that incoming students for the next academic year will no longer be able to attend universities where they got admission or scholarship. In addition, companies’ hiring process will be greatly affected and their trade deals. Major companies like Google are already in the process of recalling their employees to go back in the U.S. with the help of immigration lawyers.

• Sick people and refugees persecuted for their their being gay are in limbo.

U.S. is famous for their advanced medical technologies. Therefore, it is not surprising that people all over the world are seeking medical help from them. Furthermore, members of the LGBT who came from strict countries were persecuted so they seek refuge in the U.S. where they are accepted. However, they also can’t travel to the U.S. due to the immigration ban. The only exemption so far is for minority religion applicants.

• It affects the American tourism.

Though the travel ban from the seven countries seems insignificant due to the low number of tourists, it also made other people from other countries feel threatened. Muslims from other countries are now apprehensive to go to the U.S. because the travel ban looks like a direct action against the Muslim community. Furthermore, there are Americans who supports Trump’s immigration ban. Therefore, they are afraid to experience discrimination in a foreign country.

• The airline industry is also affected.

Most U.S. airlines may not employ staff from the seven countries but there are major airlines that can definitely feel the aftermath. Airlines like Emirates, Qatar, and Etihad are known to have a huge number of Arabic-speaking clients who fly all over the U.S. The main reason that airlines are having a hard time implementing the order is due to the fact that they were not informed in advance. As a result, there was chaos in boarding and delayed flights to sort out the passengers.

• Shares fall in the stock market.

Investors became uncertain over the immigration ban. Therefore, the stock market is currently suffering from Dow back below 20,000. Overnight, several Asian markets have fallen then followed by Europe and U.S. Even the FTSE 100 lost all of its gains so far this year and went back to the lowest level which happened back on December 28. The status of the European market has resulted to FTSE 100 0.92% or 66.01 points at 7118.48, Germany’s Dax was 1.12% to 11,681.89, France’s Cac closed down at 1.14% at 4784.64, Italy’s FTSE MIB was 2.95% to 18,759.40, Spain’s Ibex was 1.5% lower at 9361.3, and the Athens market lost 3.53% to 614.08. On the other hand, Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 183 points or 0.92% at 19,910 on Wall Street. In addition to these repercussions, there is a huge possibility that Middle East investors may reject the U.S.