Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has given the precedents -- the presidents travel man a green light indefinitely, will kind of an impact will it have. It is told that it already has a negative impact on the Muslim community will continue to have so. Last week care pillars of the community and partnership for the advancement of new Americans held a rally in downtown San Diego to protest what they describe as the presidents radical anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant, anti-refugee and white nationalist agenda. The Trump upheld the restrictions on travel to the U.S. by citizens of Iran, North Korea, Syria, Libya, Yemen, and Venezuela. Joining me is -- the advocacy and policy coordinator with the San Diego office of the Council of American Islam relations. Welcome. This version of the presidents travel ban has already been in effect for four months. What is the impact of yesterday Supreme Court decisions ? >> Muslim American families from all walks of life green card holder and citizens will be separated from families that they have long held dear to themselves. It is a huge blow to our morale as well as our community. >> In what ways do you believe the travel ban has affected people trying to come to the U.S. from these Muslim specific countries? >> First of all it separated families. In 2017 282 people contacted care California offices. 63% of those experienced travel delays which means being held up I CVP. The issue is that we have a interconnected intersectional world. There are so many people that are connected around the world each day at everyday with family members and friends. This is it clear evidence of this administration and the presidency being anti-immigrant, anti-family. >>> Tell me about the protest last night and downtown San Diego. >> We came together with other Muslim and ethnic based organizations. What we did was we wanted to bring together as many people as possible whether it was going to be upheld or whether it was going to be shut down. Hundreds of people came out last night from all walks of life, all face, all colors, not just Muslim, but our allies, supporters, and the people we have been marching with on the issues we care about as well. For example separating of families. You see so many people that came out that was hurt. They were disappointed about what happened. This is not the America they recognize. We had amazing young speakers like Sarah Farooq from pillars of the community who is a huge activist here in San Diego. On your a youth leader at Pana and many others because we cannot lose hope on the faith that still face of this administration. We had to fight, mobilize, galvanize ourselves and vote in the midterm elections. >>> Congressman Duncan Hunter was on Fox News yesterday talking about the Supreme Court decision. Here is what he had to say. >> The radical Islamists want to kill Americans we should realize they are there. This keeps American people safe. President Donald Trump is the president of the American people. He is not present anywhere else in Africa or the Middle East these are dangerous countries with predominantly Muslim religions who have more radical sects and divisions than anybody else. Those are the guys we don't want coming here. Those of the guys that Trump's travel ban will stop and permanently stop in place. >>> When you hear an argument like that, what is your reaction? >> The only radical issue we have facing America is white nationalism and we have to face that ugly beast in the face unless we lose our country and our values to people who are propagating lies to the American public. Muslim Americans are as diverse and beautiful group of people. The only radicalization we have happening in America is that of the white nationalist agenda. >>> I have been speaking with the coordinator of the San Diego office of counsel of Muslim related offices. Thank you so much. >> Thank you for having me.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Trump Administration’s third attempt at a travel ban on a 5-4 vote.
This one was more narrowly targeted. In addition to several Muslim countries, it included partial bans on travel to the U.S. from Cuba and Venezuela.
On Tuesday night, local groups, including the Council on American and Islamic Relations (CAIR), Pillars of the Community and Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans held a rally in front of the federal building in downtown San Diego to protest what they call Trump’s “radical anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant, anti-refugee and white nationalist agenda.”
Mejgan Afshan of CAIR joins KPBS Midday Wednesday to talk about how the community will continue to "fight for justice" so that Muslim Americans do not lose hope.
