SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has said that Irish Government should take every step possible to ensure that the blatant discrimination of Donald Trump’s immigration ban cannot be enforced in Ireland.
On Friday President Trump put a block on entry to US for people from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Libya and Somalia.
The US embassy in Ireland has confirmed that it is implementing these new pre-Visa checks and bans at Irish airports.
The Foyle MLA said: “The worst fears about the Trump Presidency are coming to fruition. These immigration bans are a method of designed discrimination against one religion.
“The British Prime Minister has said she does not agree with this ban. Hers is a stance of pathetic understatement.
“Ireland should not follow along with the same polite deference.
“This US presidency is not normal therefore normal diplomatic niceties should not apply. I would urge the Irish Government to take every step possible to ensure that these discriminatory checks and bans are not enforced at our airports. We should have no hand, act or part in implementing this ban.
“They should do so to stand against the dangerous principle and precedent of this ban but also as part of their duty to protect the rights of Irish citizens who hold dual citizenship with those countries who are facing this immigration ban.
“The overnight court order putting a halt to this Executive order has come as some relief to all of us disgusted by this ban. My fear though is that just as it is a temporary court order, it may only prove to be a temporary relief.
“It is therefore all the more important that we are not seen to sit silently as Trump pursues his ugly agenda. Whether small or substantial, we must do all that we can to stand against it.”
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