Article (s): http://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/donald-trump-refugee-ban-causes-chaos-panic-anger-worldwide; http://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/us-judge-allows-travellers-who-landed-with-visas-to-stay-in-country; http://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/iran-says-will-respond-in-kind-to-donald-trumps-insulting-ban
Donald Trump have signed an immigration ban, preventing entry to the US of citizens from 7 Muslim states namely Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. This ban took place even while some of the travelers were in midair. This lead to their detainment when they landed at the various United States Airport as immigration officers and custom officials grappled with the new set of rules.
The reason that Donald Trump gave for the ban was to clamp down immigration into the United States as a way to prevent (terrorist) attacks, only allowing entry after extreme vetting. This ban is not only imposed on tourists but also on current residents that holds dual nationality whereby residents will not be permitted for 90 days. In response to this ban, Iran responded that they would also impose a ban on US Residents.
My personal take on the event is that the ban is a bit too extreme. Yes, the main underlying reason for the ban is to prevent (terrorist) attacks and to curb immigration, but I think that there are other ways to get around this issue to obtain the same results. Such other methods can be such taken by Singapore, more stringent checking and security at airports to prevent attacks of terror from occurring. As for already present citizens e.g those that hold nationality, United States should divert additional resources to check on these people to see if they really are a threat to the country and not chase all of them out at once. However that being said, the idea itself is not totally irrational, with more time to stringently check everyone that enters, US is like clicking the reset button to protect their own interests, such as prevention of attacks from possible spys that are already implanted within the United States or entering the country. BUT I would like to mention that this might not totally prevent terrorist attacks (especially if Mr Donald Trump perceives all from Middle Eastern Countries as terrorists) as over the years, there were many youths and adults alike from different countries that were radicalized, leading to their volunteering to join the ISIS and various terrorist organizations, banning all inflow of people from those states would not be beneficial if these terrorist organization sends someone who is from a different state. (An even more ironic case would be if that person sent by the terrorist organization is a US Citizen, would US stop their own citizen from returning home??) No doubt the policy is too extreme, and might not work to a large extent, but who knows?? Maybe it would still help to some extent?? Only time can tell i guess.
The direct effect that could be brought about would be negative economic growth as tourists cannot enter the country, the people of US might have decreased confidence leading to decreased spendings. Investors, especially Middle Eastern Businessmen would withdraw their investments. Political relations between the United States and the Middle Eastern states would also be very tensed.
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