In full disclosure, the following was reported by someone I don’t know, but it was reported by someone who is trusted by someone I trust very much.
Melissa Trent (quoted yesterday by Mic.com, quoted a year ago under different circumstances here (:) reports the following:
Most critical (in my- Lauren’s- opinion):
“Muslims from other countries not included in the ban are also being detained- they have had their laptops confiscated and were asked about their opinions on Donald Trump. Make no mistake- this is a Muslim ban.”
The full update:
“via my law school and JFK lawyer pal, Xiaoxi Tu:
Thank you to my firm colleagues and law school classmates who went to airports across the country this weekend!
People are still being detained and help is still needed.
If you are a lawyer, or Arabic or Farsi interpreter who can go to JFK, sign up here. I encourage you to sign up for the overnight shifts if you can- that’s when most people leave and information is scarce, but the families have a long night and need support.
To recap, this is what we’re hearing from detainees and family members from airports across the country:
Muslims from other countries not included in the ban are also being detained- they have had their laptops confiscated and were asked about their opinions on Donald Trump. Make no mistake- this is a Muslim ban.
In LAX, JFK, and possibly other airports, detainees were pressured to sign voluntary waivers of their immigration status, including giving up their green cards.
Dept of Homeland Security/ Customs and Border Patrol has attempted to put detainees on flights out of the United States in violation of various court orders prohibiting their removal.
Detainees are STILL not being allowed to speak with lawyers.
Detainees are STILL not being allowed to speak with lawyers.
Some detainees were tied up with zip ties, and some detainees were not given food for over 20 hours.
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If you would like to contribute in other ways, you can download the Flyzone app (iPhone/iPad app available here, Android app available here) and order food from the “Central Diner” for “JFK lawyers.”
The diner has been so kind to host us but they are losing business because we’re taking up so much space and staying for so long. They need support!
If you can go to JFK, consider bringing pillows and toiletries for the families waiting, including toys for the children. There aren’t too many since each flight only has a few passengers affected by the ban, but the families have to wait a long time.”
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The JFK group at JFK Terminal 4 now has a website!
Please contact No Ban JFK with any information about:
- anyone being detained,
- anyone expecting to be detained,
- arriving flights from areas affected by the EO
Phone number: 1-844-326-4940
Note: Feel free to copy this text and share with whoever you like. This is so far beyond “extreme vetting” to protect U.S. citizens.
Photo tweeted by @BBCYaldaHakim:
Update from Adam Cohen (@axidentaliberal) on Twitter at 5:36 PST:
Lawyers being sent to different terminals at JFK:
Lawyers being sent to different terminals pic.twitter.com/RwY5imsVBF
— Adam Cohen (@axidentaliberal) January 31, 2017
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