Background Information
On February 28th of 2017, the then US president Donald Trump had signed an executive order that had stopped people from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen from entering the United States. This action was a result of Trump’s anti-immigration campaign promise from the 2016 election. In response to this, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the action an “affront” and a “betrayal to the country”.
Reaction of the US People
The Executive Order had a drastic effect on the United States. People from the seven countries mentioned above were stopped from entering the United States. This caused a lot of tension for the people living in the United States, especially people of Muslim faith, as they felt they were unjustly targeted and demonized. Furthermore, businesses that needed to operate internationally were affected by the order, since it had caused the relocation of employees or the shutdown of their branches abroad.
The US Judicial System
The federal courts reacted swiftly and suspended certain parts of the Executive Order, such as the length of the travel ban and the scope of the countries it applied to. This decision, backed by Speaker Pelosi, was initially issued on March 15th of 2017 and was later upheld in the Supreme Court on September 11th 2018.
Speaker Pelosi’s stance on the subject was seen as a breath of fresh air for many people. Her stance was seen as one that derived from an international perspective, which acknowledged the varied points of view on this issue.
Travel Ban vs. Immigration
Trump’s original travel ban was seen as both extreme and necessary by the people. Generally, the executive order was seen as a means to prevent terrorism, however, it seemed to be a step too far in terms of human rights infringement. This is why Speaker Pelosi has been continuously involved in the discussion of a possible solution that is more balanced between human rights and security.
A Word on China
The Trump travel ban had a rippling effect on the American people but also on international relations. Relations between the United States and other countries such as China were sore. Even after the order was put down by the Supreme Court, President Trump had initially re-instated it in December 2017. Immediate actions like this had caused China to remain cautious in its negotiations with the US. Thus far, Speaker Pelosi has not taken any action on this regard.
Refugees on US Borders
One of the biggest impacts of the travel ban was the amount of refugees that had amassed on the US borders. Both in the Gulf of Mexico and along the US-Mexican border, thousands of people had been waiting to enter for months due to the travel ban. This was a situation Nancy Pelosi seemed to be very passionate about, as she had launched a fundraiser to help the refugee families in need.
International Cooperation
Nancy Pelosi’s involvement with the travel ban debate had put her simultaneously in a political-diplomatic role. Her application of reasoning and moral understanding on this international problem had opened a dialogue on international cooperation. Being that actions like the travel ban can interfere with economic dealings between countries, international legislation and diplomacy must be handled with utmost care and understanding. Speaker Pelosi has given the world an example of such a presence.
International Economy
The effects of the Trump travel ban have had a larger impact on the international economy. Speaker Pelosi’s stance on the matter resonates with investors as it is important for them to know that their investments and any assets they have abroad are safe. This is why Nancy Pelosi and international leaders have taken a stand against US actions like the travel ban; such decisions can throw entire international systems off balance.
Ethical Considerations
In the case of the travel ban, Speaker Pelosi’s focus on the ethical considerations has been clear. Human rights, freedom of movement and international security have to be considered in order to create a solution with which various countries can live. Her stance on the travel ban has brought attention to the ethical considerations that have to be taken into account during international disputes.
Business Effects of Travel Bans
The implementation of the travel ban had caused numerous disruptions in business operations across the United States. Many companies that relied on international contractors or employees had been affected by the travel ban, forcing them to close down or drastically alter their services, causing dips in the internal market. Nancy Pelosi’s interventions on the matter have been focused on maintaining international business relationships as best as possible.
Impact on Civil Liberties
The Trump travel ban’s greatest impact on the people was on the civil liberties of citizens of the countries listed in the order. Speaker Pelosi had put a stop to several aspects of the travel ban in order to give back civil liberties to many people, such as freedom of movement, religion and education. Her stance was met with appreciation from the public as it had helped protect the rights of many.
Religious Freedom
Speaker Pelosi’s biggest concern with the travel ban had been its discriminatory attitude towards the religions of the people of the seven countries. The Supreme Court’s decisions on the matter allowed for more protection of religious freedoms for these people, thus reaffirming Nancy Pelosi’s comments on the issue.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Trump travel ban’s greatest legacy has been the importance it has brought to the discussion of diversity and inclusion. Nancy Pelosi has taken a stand to protect and promote diversity in the United States, in order to make it a more welcoming and inclusive place for all. Furthermore, her stand on inclusivity is seen to be backed by other international leaders, giving the issue a united front.
