Depending on who you ask, President Trump’s executive order on immediate immigration reform deserves high praise or harsh criticism. Also depending on who you ask, it either bans all Muslims from entering the country, or it doesn’t. No one is particularly to blame for the confusion surrounding this controversial executive order, for the information distributed by the government has also been inconsistent, or at least convoluted.

If you aren’t sure what the immigration-based executive order actually does but you know it probably affects you since you are an immigrant or resident in the United States, you may find some solace in knowing that you are not alone in the slightest. At Law Offices of James A. Welcome, we have already heard plenty from clients who are worried they are going to be negatively impacted by the immigration ban. In order to hopefully shed light on the situation, we have compiled this brief FAQ about the Trump immigration executive order. Review it if you wish, or feel free to contact our Waterbury immigration lawyer today to speak with our law firm directly about your concerns, and any potential cases or lawsuits.

Immigration Executive Order FAQ

1. Who should not be affected by the immigration ban?
   The executive order should not apply to anyone who is a United States citizen – natural-born or naturalized. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents have the ability to temporarily detain and question any United States citizen entering the country, however. This power was not implemented by the recent executive order.
2. How are refugees affected by the executive order?
   Any refugee who is currently attempting to enter the United States will be barred from entry for 120 days. Syrian refugees are completely banned from entry indefinitely; an overturning of the executive order will be necessary for Syrian refugees to enter the U.S.A.
3. What about the seven listed countries – how are they affected?
   Citizens from Iraq, Iran, Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, and Yemen are all banned from entry into the country, even if they have a current visa of any sort. This ban is expected to last between 60 to 120 days but conflicting reports have made that determination difficult.
4. Were green card holders really being detained?
   Yes. Green card holders – people who have obtained legal permanent resident (LPR) status – were detained and questioned at various airports, especially if they had been traveling from one of the seven countries specifically named in the executive order. This is an extension of CBP agents’ discretionary abilities. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did later release a statement that claimed legal permanent residents should not be impeded when attempting to enter the country.
5. Is this a Muslim-only ban?
   No. There is nothing in the executive order’s language that targets Muslims in particular. The seven countries are predominantly Muslim but anyone attempting to enter the U.S. from those countries, regardless of creed, would be subject to the same restrictions. Supporters of the executive order point out that the seven countries are not the top seven countries that bring Muslim immigrants into the country. Opponents of the order point out that the seven countries are also not the top seven countries linked most frequently to terrorist attacks.
6. Is the executive order being challenged?
   The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has been quick to take up cases and judges in four separate cities have ruled the detention in their cities to be unconstitutional. The DHS appears to be complying with the judge’s rulings but it is not clear if they will be applied to future cases or other cities.

Do you need a lawyer who will stand up for you, through thick and thin? Our Waterbury immigration attorneys are not afraid to get into the thick of legislation and tackle the most difficult of cases, even if that means we have to go up against powerful government agencies. Our clients’ wellbeing, rights, and freedoms are all that matter to us.

Call (203) 806-7922 to learn how we can help you with your immigration case in Connecticut.