Page 23 - IB FEB 2017

Politics

“trump card” too early in his presidency? Donald’s
by Dennis Rounds

HAS the new US President played his
suspended all refugee admissions into Trump
Only time will tell.
In late January, President Donald
Trump signed an executive order which

the US for 120 days and barred entry to
citizens of seven countries – Iran, Iraq, card
Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
During his presidential campaign,
Trump had in fact floated the idea of “a
complete and total ban” on all Moslems Time will tell
entering the United States. Although his
Executive Order didn’t go all the way to
doing that, White House spokesman,
Sean Spicer, gloated that the president Tough measures ... Trump sacked his
had “hit the ground running, had a flurry acting Attorney General Sally Yates for
of activity, to do exactly what he said he defying his executive order.
was going to do.” Photo: File
While the Trump administration has
dismissed accusations of being anti- ing when you come into an airport.” wthe Department of Immigration when he
Moslem, the fact remains that all seven Trump’s executive order also affects U.S. and his lawyer were “road-blocked” half
countries are predominantly Islamic. green card holders who may travel to meet way to the capital. According to his lawyer,
Criticism has flowed across the Globe from family in any of the seven countries. They Sawari was “bundled” into a police vehicle
several countries. would first have to consult with a consular and transported back to the Coral Coast
However, the backlash against Trump’s officer before leaving the United States. town of Sigatoka where he was handed
executive order has not been restricted The Pacific countries have been largely over to Immigration officials.
to international condemnation. It has led spared from the tightened immigration Fiji citizens woke up to reports of an ear-
to widespread protests within the United laws. However, Pacific islanders who hold ly-morning Hollywood-type high-speed
States where criticism has come from af- dual citizenship which includes a passport car chase which is said to have ensued
fected American citizens, state governors, from one of the seven countries are also with Sawari’s lawyer chasing after his Im-
judges and immigration and homeland affected by the changes. migration Department-detained client all
security staff. Papua New Guinea and Nauru will the way to Nadi International Airport. The
The acting US Attorney General, Sally also have to “billet” Australian-supplied outcome was Sawari’s forced return to Port
Yates was promptly “Trump-dumped” for refugees in Manus and Nauru’s “Topside” Moresby, minus his personal possessions.
defying the order – an indication of Donald longer than originally planned. The Aus- Although the Fijian government de-
Trump’s resolve to rule with an iron fist in tralians are insisting that the US will take fended Sawari’s expulsion saying he had
true “The Apprentice” fashion. in refugees as was agreed with former entered Fiji using false information and
Yates had defied Trump by declaring President Barack Obama. However, media had taken a long time to lodge an appli-
that Justice Department lawyers would reports suggest Trump described Obama’s cation seeking refugee status, there has
not defend the executive order against refugee agreement with Australia as a been no confirmation that Fiji’s Director
legal challenges. As expected - “You’re “dumb deal”. of Immigration, Nemani Vuniwaqa, had
fired!” was Donald Trump’s authoritative In Fiji in early February, a highly pub- in fact agreed to meet Sawari to discuss
response. licized “snatch and grab” immigration the Iranian’s plight.
On-the-ground interpretation of the operation saw a 21-year-old Iranian man, The expulsion was criticized by Fiji’s
executive order suggests American citi- Loghman Sawari, frog-marched through Human Rights Commissioner who ex-
zens will not be affected. However, it has Nadi International Airport to board a re- pressed concern over Sawari’s welfare in
since emerged that if they visit any of the turn flight to Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea.
seven listed countries, US Immigration Sawari had spent three years as a Fiji offers dual citizenship and some are
officials have the “discretion” to detain refugee in Papua New Guinea and had asking: “Following on from the Sawari
and question them. allegedly entered Fiji borders using false episode, could Fiji become a transit point
The White House Chief of Staff, Reince information. He had expressed the hope for people from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia,
Preibus told American media: ““I would of eventually settling in the United States. Sudan, Syria and Yemen whose final des-
suspect that if you’re an American citizen On the morning of February 4th, he was tination is the United States?”
traveling back and forth to Libya, you’re reportedly on his way from his Nadi refuge Only time will tell.
likely to be subjected to further question- to Suva to discuss his asylum plea with n dennis.rounds@gmail.com

Islands Business, February 2017 23