When President Donald Trump signed executive orders banning entry of nationals of seven countries into the US, along with the influx of refugees, it triggered protests across the country.
When The Quint reached out to people of Asian descent in the US to respond to the ban and how it has impacted their lives, the responses spanned a vast spectrum of emotions.
While some were not comfortable revealing their identities, others were not only willing to reveal them, but also get family and friends on board to reject the order. Besides, some people were at a protest when contacted and were more than happy to share pictures of themselves and their friends.
Unequivocal Rejection
There were those who very articulately and unequivocally rejected the ban.
Shahana is a US citizen of Indian-American descent.
Tannaz Rahman, a Bangladeshi student in Illinois, has a clear message for the supporters of the immigration ban.
Upasana Dutta summarises in a picture of what she makes of this executive order.
Here's a couple absolutely refusing to let the ban dampen their spirit as they pose for the camera with their placards.
Offer of Help
As thousands were detained at airports across the US, many lawyers came forward to offer pro bono help. Among those helping with efforts to provide free legal help was Sarah Fatehmi.
Sarah is an Iranian who is a graduate student at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. When The Quint approached her, she was at Los Angeles International Airport with this placard.
Determined to Stay
Despite the US President’s xenophobic policies, many people of Asian origin made it clear that they are determined to stay and welcome all irrespective of their religious, ethnic, national and cultural identities.
These two images are from a protest in San Francisco.
Love Will Trump All Hate
People from all races and faith have come forward to march against the immigration ban.
This Syrian couple posed for the camera with an image of Anne Frank, the fifteen-year-old Jewish girl who was imprisoned, and later died, in a concentration camp in Nazi Germany.
Nada Khan is an Indian Muslim who was raised in the UAE. She is a student at Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida.
Nada said she is convinced that it’s important to send a message of love because she has experienced a lot of positive outreach herself from the community in Sarasota.
Yasmine Khorma is a Jordanian studying in the US as a sophomore at Ringling College of Art and Design.
The following is an image of an Indian based in the US. He was at a protest in San Francisco when asked for a response.
Trump’s divisive policies have paradoxically united people in a rarely witnessed manner. Despite the growing incidents of hate crimes, Islamophobia and xenophobia, people have come out out to express their support and leave the world with a much needed sense of hope in seemingly bleak times.
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