Donald Trump

12 Ways to Help Immigrants and Refugees Affected by President Trump's Executive Order

The president's order places a 90-day travel restriction on immigrants from Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen attempting to gain entry into the country; it also indefinitely bans Syrian refugees from entering the U.S.

What to Know

  • President Trump signed the executive order imposing a 90-day travel ban Friday afternoon
  • Tens of thousands of people in New York City and across the nation have protested the order
  • Trump has denied that his order was a "Muslim ban" and pledged "to show compassion to those fleeing oppression"

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday at 4:42 p.m. ET imposing a 90-day travel ban for immigrants from several Muslim-majority countries -- Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen -- and an indefinite ban for Syrian refugees trying to enter the United States. 

The order prompted a series of protests across New York City, with tens of thousands decrying the newly inaugurated president's order as "un-American" and oppressive, as more than 100 people were detained at airports, many of them without legal representation. 

Many more individuals, including a CUNY doctoral student visiting family in Iran on her winter break, were stranded abroad. 

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Protesters at Battery Park on Sunday.
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Protesters hold signs at Battery Park on Sunday.
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A crowd gathers at Battery Park.
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Seeing something, saying something, and a selfie.
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A sign and a knit cap for a winter protest.
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The subway station at Battery Park was packed on Sunday as people gathered to protest.
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Getting signs ready at the subway station.
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Holding a handmade sign at the Battery Park protest.
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Demonstrators deliver their messages through signs.
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Getting signs ready for the demonstration.
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Clapping at a demonstration for immigrants in Bryant Park.
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Protesters hold signs in Battery Park.
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A kind message from this protester.
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Protesters hold signs at Battery Park.
A child rests during the long protest.
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A wall of protesters at Battery Park on Sunday.
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Thousands of immigration activists and demonstrators staged a protest at John F. Kennedy International Airport's Terminal 4 within hours of hearing news about Muslim detainees being held in custody by Customs and Border Partrol officials.
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A demonstrator holds a sign in support of refugees at JFK Airport Saturday. President Trump signed the controversial executive order that halted refugees and residents from predominantly Muslim countries from entering the U.S. for 90 days Friday.
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A Muslim woman prays as protesters gather at Terminal 4 to demonstrate against President Donald Trump's executive order.
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A demonstrator completes a makeshift sign challenging the immigrant travel ban enacted by President Trump and his administration Friday.
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Immigration activists hold up signs demanding immigrants be allowed to enter the country alongside the entry road to JFK's Terminal 4.
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A demonstrator continues to chant as an NYPD officer apprehends him.
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Nydia Velazquez speaks to a crowd as protesters gathered outside JFK airport Terminal 4. She was joined by U.S. Representative Jerrold Nadler, both of who helped to negotiate the release of an Iraqi man detained at the airport. PHOTOGRAPH BY Joel Sheakoski / Barcroft Images London-T:+44 207 033 1031 E:hello@barcroftmedia.com - New York-T:+1 212 796 2458 E:hello@barcroftusa.com - New Delhi-T:+91 11 4053 2429 E:hello@barcroftindia.com www.barcroftimages.com (Photo credit should read Joel Sheakoski / Barcroft Images / Barcroft Media via Getty Images)
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A man carrying two boxes of pizza curiously looks on as he makes his way through a crowd of chanting activists.
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Demonstrators stand in a parking garage holding an upside down American flag. Though Friday's executive order bans entry to people from seven Middle East nations, President Trump said it is "not a Muslim ban".
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An activist brandishes a sign calling for the release of detainees at JFK Airport during the rally.
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Police take security measures with a mesh net during the demonstration against President Trump's indefinite ban of entry against Syrian refugees and 90-day ban against immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries.
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A woman speaks into a megaphone as others hold signs during the protest. Despite their status as legal residents, visa-holders from banned countries were also barred from U.S. entry and detained at airports nationwide.
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NYPD officers intervened and arrested several demonstrators throughout the protest.
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New York Police officers stand guard as demonstrators gather outside and in the garages of JFK Airport.
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By nightfall, thousands of demonstrators gathered at the airport to protest President Trump's travel ban.
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A group of men hold up signs in solidarity with immigrants at JFK.
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A participant tries to snap a photo of the sea of demonstrators below on her cellphone.
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Demonstrators even climbed street signs and traffic posts to hold up signs and ensure their message was heard.
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A demonstrator watched the rally from the darkness of an elevated garage.
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This demonstrator decided to multitask and snack while participating in the rally.
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Signs about equality and immigrant rights were seen for miles at JFK Airport Saturday.
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The colorful signs of demonstrators were reflected on the Terminal's glass walls.
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A pair of demonstrators asked onlookers to remember what America stands for while standing on the sidelines.
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A woman holds a sign that reassures immigrants that they are welcome in the U.S., despite what President Trump and his administration say.
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Inspired by Prince, one demonstrator quotes lines from the late musician's "1999" song.
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A woman participating in the protest leans over the ledge of an elevated garage at the demonstrators below.
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Signs bearing phrases of positivity and support were aplenty at the day-long demonstration that carried into the evening.
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A sign bearing the often-used phrase "Love Trumps Hate" could be seen in the sea of demonstrators at the Saturday night rally.
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Police officers cautiously watch on as rally participants brandished signs until after 10 p.m.
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One demonstrator recalls New York City's sanctuary status to anyone whose eye caught their sign.
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Tons of handmade signs bobbed throughout the crowd of thousands.
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JFK's AirTrain service experienced delays after thousands of protesters crowded underneath the rail.

Here are 12 ways you can get involved:

  • Donate to the New York Civil Liberties Union. The national organization raised more than $24 million over the weekend in online donations, six times what it normally brings in annually. You can also call the New York branch on Broad Street to find out how to help (212-607-3300) 

  • The International Rescue Committee, with offices on 42nd Street, is urging concerned New Yorkers to contact their elected officials and offers this handy form to bypass some of the red tape. You can also donate to the organization here or learn about creating your own customized fundraising campaign.

  • The New York Legal Assistance Group is at JFK Airport providing counseling to assist incoming travelers and their worried families. They need volunteers, particularly those who speak Arabic. Sign up here. 

  • Gov. Cuomo's office set up a hotline to report any family members who may be detained at NY airports -- just call 1-888-769-7243 

  • The New York Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations offers guidance on how immigrants can protect themselves and what New Yorkers can do to push back against Trump's executive order. The group invites demonstrators to participate in its rallies and accepts donations here.

  • The New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice is a statewide membership-based coalition that has joined the chorus of advocacy groups condemning the president's action. Find out how you can volunteer.

  • The New York Immigration Coalition, an umbrella policy and advocacy organization for nearly 200 groups in the state that work with immigrants and refugees, has been at the forefront of the protests since the executive order was signed. Donate here or call 212-627-2227 to find out how you can help. 

  • Support the UNHCR, the UN agency responsible for protecting refugees, which has an office on 42nd Street and is running a #WithRefugees petition on its website or call (212) 963-0032 to learn more about how you can help locally.

  • Direct people in need to Airbnb, which is providing free housing to refugees in the event they are denied the ability to board a U.S.-bound flight and are not in their city/country of residence.

  • If you work for Google, the company has created a $4 million crisis fund for those affected by Trump's executive order. It can be matched by up to $2 million from employees and donations will go toward four immigrant organizations.

  • Support individual fundraisers. Many affected people have turned to GoFundMe for help.

  • ActionNYC connects New Yorkers to free, safe immigration legal help. You can make an appointment to learn about legal options and get immigration application assistance.

For more on how you can help, visit your local governments' websites to find lists of immigrant and refugee advocacy groups in your area. 

For the second night, demonstrators clogged airports nationwide, including JFK, where several passengers remain detained. Ida Siegal reports
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