Jackson State international students react to immigration ban

The immigration ban enacted by President Donald Trump in January, which bars people from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days, has many Jackson State University international students concerned.

According to a New York Times report, the ban affects people who are currently in the United States on temporary visas who would normally be allowed to travel to their home country and re-enter the United States, like students.

Approximately 17,354 international students from the seven countries were enrolled in American institutions during the 2015-16 school year, according to the Institute of International Education.

According to the Division of Institutional Research Facts and Figures report, in 2016, JSU had 332 international students enrolled.

Esra H. Ali Mohamed, a graduate engineering major from Sudan, is very frustrated with the executive order.

“I understand that the reason for the ban was for protecting the states (USA) from terrorists, but none of the seven banned countries were involved directly in any attack on the United States, while other countries were and for whatever reason, they are not banned,” said Mohamed. “I shouldn’t, as a human being, be denied the right of seeing my family, increasing my knowledge, improving my future. It is against what America is about because it was made and improved by immigrants and ironically, those who consider themselves Americans nowadays were once immigrants.”

Raheem Skinner, a sophomore biology major from Barbados, stated that he is afraid to leave the country.

“I am pretty scared that I might be asked to return to my country, even though I am on a valid visa,” said Skinner.

Laetitia Mobio, a senior mathematics major from Ivory Coast, is afraid that the ban will cause civil unrest in America.

“I am graduating this semester but I intended to continue my education here in the United States, but with this new law, there might be a lot of trouble over here so I am hoping for a change soon or my parents might ask me to come back home to Ivory Coast,” said Mobio.

Semenbari Yakubu, an international student from Nigeria, believes Trump’s order is unnecessary.

“Some refugees are fleeing terror and they are not terrorists so I see no reason for the ban,” said Yakubu, a senior physics major.

Jessika Jones, Jackson State’s immigration specialist, is advising international students in countries named in the ban to not leave the country.

“We have not heard any word saying that any of our students are stuck trying to come here but we advise all international students whose countries are listed, to cancel travel plans right now until further notice,” said Jones.

JSU’s Interim president, Rod Paige, issued a statement addressing the immigration ban through mass email sent to students and faculty.

The email read in part: “With at least 63 countries represented on campus, our international students, faculty and staff are an important part of the fabric that creates a diverse Jackson State community. We will continue to be a resource for our international students, faculty and staff to ensure all cultures, religions and nationalities are accepted and respected on campus. JSU is proud to be a higher-learning institution dedicated to inclusivity and tolerance. We call upon all members of our community to continue to respect and support each other.”

Temporarily putting some of the fears aside for international students, a federal judge in Seattle put a nationwide block on President Trump’s week-old executive order temporarily barring refugees and nationals from the seven countries from entering the United States.

Many wait to see what the president’s response to the block will be.