- Title: Syrian refugees in Turkey angered by Trump's migration policies
- Date: 25th January 2017
- Summary: HATAY, TURKEY (JANUARY 25, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SYRIAN REFUGEES QUEUED UP IN FRONT OF TURKISH MIGRATION OFFICE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SYRIAN REFUGEE, NUR HASAN AL FARAJ, SAYING: "This decision is really unjust, it is nonsense to take this decision regarding seven countries, including Syria, which they have decided won't be allowed to enter the United States. This reflects the hatred and enmity they have against all nations. I as a Syrian view this decision is very wrong." SYRIAN REFUGEES QUEUED UP AT MIGRATION OFFICE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SYRIAN REFUGEE, NUR HASAN AL FARAJ, SAYING: "I'm scared for them, I believe their fate is unknown. We hear Trump's decisions on the airwaves and we worry about them a lot, I hope they come back and don't stay over there." REFUGEES LINED UP (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SYRIAN REFUGEE, ABDULHALIM BEKRO, SAYING: "It is clear that this decision is an expression of hatred. It is the biggest proof that Trump is not worth this position. This is a sign of the burnout, the end of America. This is an unjust decision. Everyone in the world knows that this decision contains hatred. This hatred is not limited to seven countries, it is unjust, Trump will spell the downfall of America." REFUGEES GATHERED OUTSIDE THE MIGRATION OFFICE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SYRIAN REFUGEE, MOHAMMED SULEYMAN AVAD, SAYING: "Is it up to the United States to take such a decision against seven countries? Where is this supposed democracy and freedom in America? Is this how you practice democracy? Where is your democracy? They only have rhetoric. All these great countries have is rhetoric, nothing more." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE ENTERING IMMIGRATION OFFICE
- Embargoed: 8th February 2017 17:22
- Keywords: USA Donald Trump migration refugees border Turkey Syria refugees
- Location: HATAY, TURKEY
- City: HATAY, TURKEY
- Country: Turkey
- Topics: Asylum/Immigration/Refugees,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA00160KXS1Z
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:News that the U.S. President Donald Trump will enact a visa freeze and ban on refugees from some Muslim states sparked fear among their citizens on Wednesday (January 25) that it could mark the beginning of a new era of hostility from the West.
Among Syrians, Iraqis and Yemenis interviewed by Reuters, a sense of dismay and grievance at the presumption they pose a security threat was mixed with anxiety that Trump's tough stance will cause more hardship for the region's millions of refugees.
For the dozens of refugees queuing up at the immigration office in the southern border province of Hatay, seeking to obtain residence permits, the future was even more bleak.
"This decision is really unjust, it is nonsense to take this decision regarding seven countries, including Syria, which they have decided won't be allowed to enter the United States. This reflects hatred and enmity they have against all nations. I as a Syrian view this decision as very wrong," said Nur Hasan al-Faraj from Syria.
Aid workers in the region fear that the decision will add to anti-refugee sentiment in Europe, putting more pressure on governments to lower refugee numbers and pushing to breaking point the Middle East states that now host most displaced people.
Trump is expected to sign executive orders starting on Wednesday that will impose a temporary ban on most refugees and a suspension of visas for citizens of Syria, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Somalia, Libya and Sudan.
The policy is aimed at reducing the threat posed by Islamist militants. Syria, Iran and Sudan, are listed by the United States as sponsors of terrorism, and the others face extensive jihadist insurgencies across swathes of their territory.
However, the security rationale for the expected new rules, which have been challenged by Trump's political opponents and civil rights groups in the U.S., also drew scorn from some of those who will be affected by them.
Governments of the countries whose citizens are expected to be included in the visa freeze did not comment on the report on Wednesday.
The United States has taken about 12,000 Syrian refugees compared to 2.8 million in Turkey, approximately a million in Lebanon and 650,000 in Jordan. More than 650,000 Syrians have arrived in Europe and requested asylum, mostly in Germany and Sweden, E.U data showed. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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