Immigration ban controversy: 7 things to know today

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday that banned citizens from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen – majority Muslim countries -- from entering the U.S. for 90 days. It also suspended the U.S. refugee program for 120 days.

Here is what is most important to know today from a local perspective:

» READ MORE: Trump's immigration ban: What to know

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Why is it controversial?

Critics and lawyers working for the release of those detained say the executive order unfairly targets Muslims while showing preference for Christians resulting in an unconstitutional religious test. The order singled out Syrians for the most aggressive ban, indefinitely blocking entry for anyone from that country, including those fleeing civil war.

Some blocked from entry over the weekend are Muslims who worked with the U.S. military overseas fighting the War on Terror as interpreters.

National, local reaction

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Demonstrators converged on airports in New York, Chicago, Columbus, Minneapolis, Dallas, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle and others and rallied in other cities across the country, including Boston and smaller cities like Dayton.

Hundreds gathered Sunday afternoon to protest the ban outside the Dayton office of Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Turner.

Dave Chappelle was among those speaking in Dayton

Comedian Dave Chappelle spoke briefly at the Dayton rally organized by German immigrant Frank Goetzke of Yellow Springs.

Chappelle said he hoped Trump was listening: "We are all here because what you are doing does not seem right. Matter of fact, it sucks."

The statement drew laughs and loud support from the protesters.

"I support refugees, I support immigrants, and I love my friends and neighbors," he said.

» READ MORE: Dave Chappelle speaks in Dayton against Trump’s travel ban

Federal judge, an Oakwood native, issues emergency order

Late Saturday, New York U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly, a 1977 Oakwood High School graduate, issued an emergency order banning the U.S. from deporting valid visa holders or people with approved refugee applications who have been detained in connection with the ban.

The Oakwood High School Alumni Association posted the news to its Twitter account Sunday night: “Proud of our alumni, US District Judge Ann Donnelly, Class of 1977.”

» READ MORE: Federal judge who halts Trump’s deportation order is ’77 Oakwood HS grad

Ohio’s senators released statements about the ban on Sunday

Rob Portman, R-Ohio: "You have an extreme vetting proposal that didn't get the vetting it should have had."

Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio: Keeping America safe is the top priority but, “targeting women, children and families who are fleeing the very same terrorists we are fighting against is wrong, will not make America safer, and may actually undermine our long-term security.”

» RELATED: Trump’s order gets mixed reviews from Ohio lawmakers 

Ohio doctor detained

Suha Abushamma, a physician at the Cleveland Clinic since July and who has a work visa, was detained. She had been in the Middle East for the past three weeks before flying Saturday from Saudi Arabia to John F. Kennedy International in New York City, according to Cleveland.com.

» RELATED: Ohio doctor can’t get back in U.S.; Brown, Portman react 

Area university presidents weigh in

The leaders of Wright State University and the University of Dayton issued statements Sunday expressing support for international students, faculty and staff on their campuses. About 50 people at Wright State and another 45 at the University of Dayton potentially could be impacted by the order, officials said.

» READ MORE: UD, WSU leaders voice support for international students, faculty

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