On Friday, PresidentDonald Trumpsigned anexecutive orderthat severely restricts immigration to the U.S..
The restrictive order has inspired both praise andcriticismand it’s led to protests.
Still, for some, the ban has begged the question: What exactly is the difference betweenrefugeesandimmigrants?
Getty Images/Andrew Harrer
Looking at what the order does, it’s easy to tell that a difference exists.
Immigrants from certain countries are banned for 90 days, while refugees are barred for 120.
We get that politics can get complicated and confusing, so we’re here to answer that question.
Refugees areeither unable or unwilling to return to their home country out of fear.
And singer Gloria Estefan left Cuba with her family after Fidel Castro’s Communist revolution in 1959.
Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).
(Learn more about that process here.)
And in limited circumstances, you’re able to bring other family members, as well.
Trump’s executive order suspended all refugee entry for 120 days.
And all refugees from Syria have been denied entry indefinitely.
Once the order was signed Friday, any refugee coming to the U.S. was turned away.
That included people who had already applied for asylum and been approved.
“I support the U.S. government on the other side of the world,” hetold CNS New York.
Both Darweesh and Alshawi were detained upon arrival at JFK Friday, and were eventually released.
But remember: People decide to immigrate from their home countries for avariety of reasons.
Some people move so they can live in a country with a more promising political environment.
Another group of people immigrate out of necessitybecause a climate disaster has recently displaced them.
These people are known as “climate refugees,” though they may not attain official refugee status.
If you want to come to the U.S. as an immigrant, you must get an immigrant visa.
This is the first step to attaining permanent residence.
(Learn more about that here.)
This process is very long and complicated, so some people attempt to immigrate without the proper documentation.
Feeling motivated to act?
There are tons of ways to make your voice heard.
SELF’s resources onfinding activist opportunitiesandgetting involved in policy decisionsare great places to start.
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Also: Mexican President Promises To Protect Immigrants Living In The US (from Newsy)
