Trump's Travel Ban Triggers Cruise Passenger Detentions, Protest At Port Canaveral
PORT CANAVERAL, Florida - An Executive Order signed by President Donald J. Trump on Friday titled "Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States" which temporarily bans entry of foreign nationals from seven countries that are linked to terrorism triggered both protests and detentions on Sunday at Port Canaveral, Florida.
Seven people returning from Royal Caribbean Cruise were detained after they disembarked the ship around 10 a.m. on Sunday due to their ties with Syria. All seven were released around 4:30 p.m. after a background check determined that they all were legally permitted to be in the United States.
"In applying the provisions of the president's executive order, I hereby deem the entry of lawful permanent residents to be in the national interest," Secretary of Homeland Security, John Kelly said in a statement on Sunday regarding similar detentions that occurred this weekend at ports and airports across the U.S. as a result of Trump's travel ban.
"Accordingly, absent the receipt of significant derogatory information indicating a serious threat to public safety and welfare, lawful permanent resident status will be a dispositive factor in our case-by-case determinations."
The Department of Homeland Security noted in a statement that " ... less than one percent of the more than 325,000 international air travelers who arrive every day were inconvenienced while enhanced security measures were implemented. These individuals went through enhanced security screenings and are being processed for entry to the United States, consistent with our immigration laws and judicial orders ... No foreign national in a foreign land, without ties to the United States, has any unfettered right to demand entry into the United States or to demand immigration benefits in the United States."
"Only 109 people out of 325,000 were detained and held for questioning. Big problems at airports were caused by Delta computer outage,protesters and the tears of Senator Schumer," President Trump tweeted Monday morning. "Secretary Kelly said that all is going well with very few problems. MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN! There is nothing nice about searching for terrorists before they can enter our country. This was a big part of my campaign. Study the world!"
There is nothing nice about searching for terrorists before they can enter our country. This was a big part of my campaign. Study the world!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 30, 2017
As the cruisers were being released from detention, several dozen protesters arrived at Exploration Tower to protest President Trump's travel policy on Sunday afternoon.
