On this episode, we wade into the immigration debate prompted by President Donald Trump’s executive order effectively limiting all refugee resettlement into the U.S for four months and refugee resettlement from Syria indefinitely. He also suspended for three months entry by citizens of seven majority-Muslim nations: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen on immigrant or non-immigrant visas. The order apparently includes people holding dual citizenship with other countries.
The administration said the orders were aimed at protecting the U.S. from potential terrorists until they were properly vetted. Critics argue the order effectively is a ban against Muslims, which violates the spirit of the Constitution that prohibits faith-based discrimination. In response, demonstrations have arisen all over the U.S. in airports and federal buildings nationwide.
Joining us to discuss this hot-button topic is Prof. Caren Frost, director of the Center for Research on Migration & Refugee Integration at the University of Utah. She has keen insights on immigration and the potential impacts new policies may have on the country’s immigrant population.
