Students Horrified by Trump’s Travel Ban

The National Union of students is horrified by US President, Donald Trump’s, executive order placing travel bans on residents from 7 majority-Muslim nations; Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Yemen, and Somalia in a clear act of Islamophobia.

NUS stands in solidarity with people across the world who have been unjustly impacted by this move by the Trump administration. In this horrific display of discrimination and divisiveness, NUS lends its thoughts to those who have been forced to choose between their families and their careers, and those whose safety and security have been compromised.

“This is a time where all over the world we share together education, ideas, technology, innovation, and leadership,” said NUS President, Sophie Johnston, “Trump seems to be living in a different time to the rest of us.”

“NUS is calling on Malcolm Turnbull and the Australian Government to show some necessary leadership and to take a strong stance against these moves by Donald Trump,” Johnston said, “As a nation we need to stand against racism and bigotry and make tangible steps toward a more just and equitable world.”

This is an incredible violation of basic human rights and our concerns are heightened by the indefinite ban on refugees fleeing war in Syria and the suspension of the Refugee Admissions Programme.

“Malcolm Turnbull cowardly responding to the ban by stating it isn’t his job to “”run a commentary on the domestic policies of other countries,” sends a harmful and concerning message to ethnically and culturally diverse minorities in our society.” said NUS Ethno-Cultural Officer, Lorena White “Refusal to have a strong and clear stance against the ban implicates an acceptance towards racist actions of intolerance.”

“More alarmingly however, he has left minorities with no reassurance that they are welcome, accepted or that they have a prime minister with strong multicultural values. He has allowed the fear and ignorance of another nation to filter through to Australia and intensify already existing hostilities towards minorities. Now is not the time for our prime minister to be complacent. It is now, more important than ever to demonstrate that we are a nation that stands strongly against racism and islamophobia.” Said Lorena White.
Sophie Johnston National President | National Union of Students