The Power of the Airport Protest

On Friday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order suspending the arrival of refugees into the U.S. and barring the entry of citizens from a handful of Muslim-majority countries, including U.S. green card holders.

Following the announcement, refugees who had been poised to start new lives in America saw their futures cast into doubt. International students and former translators for the U.S. Army were not allowed to get on their flights to the U.S. Green-card holders visiting family were stuck in limbo, wondering how or whether they would be able to come home. Travelers from these countries who had already reached U.S. airports were detained. Immigration lawyers and other volunteers furtively filed writs of habeas corpus, arguing for the release of their clients. And, in airports nationwide, impromptu mass demonstrations against the ban erupted.