Local Muslims and immigrants react to new policy

Over the weekend, thousands of people around the nation protested President Donald Trump’s executive order, or so-called travel ban. Signed into law on Friday, it aims to protect the nation from foreign terrorists coming into the United States. On Sunday, six Muslims in Quebec, Canada, were shot and killed- allegedly by a Muslim immigrant from Morocco- during prayer at a Mosque.

“Of course, it doesn’t make me feel good,” Muhammad Bwaneh told KESQ News Channel 3’s and CBS Local 2’s Katie Widner. “It doesn’t make me feel good when I’m hearing about any attacks on any human, whether they’re Muslim or not Muslim.”

Bwaneh is a Palm Desert business owner and Muslim-American who immigrated to the U.S. from Jordan 25 years ago. He said he agreed with President Trump’s effort to keep extremists out of the country, but not with the way the commander in chief was going about it.

“We have a president who is going to improve the economy, but our president needs to slow down from burning bridges,” he said. “He needs to build bridges, not build the walls.”

It is a sentiment shared by other Coachella Valley immigrants as well. Dani, who did not want his last name published, emmigrated from South Africa when he was 13 years old.

“I feel like it’s moving too fast. People should’ve had a heads-up to it,” he said. “It should’ve been more of a longer process if you’ve had time to plan around it.”

Dani said he understands the allure of the American dream, but also believed there needs to be vetting process.

“People should be screened thoroughly before going anywhere, especially if the’re (from) backgrounds that deal with extremism,” he added.

While it is clear that not everyone is completely against the president, some local Republicans, such as State Assemblyman Chad Mayes, voiced their opposition on Monday.