Donald Trump threw the nation into absolute chaos over the weekend when he signed an Executive Order effectively banning Muslims from entering the United States. During the ordeal, an Iranian man on a gay cruise took to Facebook to share his fears that he would be denied reentry into the U.S. when his ship docked.
Related: Trump tries to ban Muslim refugees except those who work for Trump; gets shot down by judge
Maysam Sodagari was on an annual gay cruise with stops in Mexico and Haiti when the Executive Order was abruptly signed. Though he has a green card to be in the U.S., he immediately began to worry he would be sent back to Iran, where homosexuality is punishable with whippings and death. He took to Facebook to express his concern:
He followed that up a short while later with anther post:
How about we take this to the next level?
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LGBTQNation writes:
While Sodagari has a valid green card to live in the US, there was confusion this weekend regarding green card holders. At first the Department of Homeland Security interpreted the executive order as not applicable to green card holders, but was then overruled by the White House. A judge then issued an injunction on removals of people who hold valid visas.
Adding to the confusion, White House chief of staff Reince Priebus at first said the executive order “doesn’t affect” green card holders, and then later said “Of course” it affects green card holders, according to CNN.
Currently, green card holders are allowed to re-enter the US but must undergo a secondary screening upon arrival.
After the ship docked and passengers began de-boarding, Sodagari seemed to run into some trouble. He documented the entire experience on Facebook…
Related: We should stand with Muslim refugees. We’ve been through this hell ourselves
Heywood Jablowme
So you’re saying he was apparently asked a lot of questions, and… (gasp)… nothing happened and he was “free to go home.” Oh the horror. Gee, Queerty, that’s not exactly “harrowing,” that’s pretty boring!
mhoffman953
Right. Seems like another fake outrage. Many people get screened at airports dependent upon the various lists people have been on since 9/11. It makes more sense to ask questions of people who come from highly terror prone countries and that do tons of traveling.
dwes09
Right! and a man with a green card and a history of employment in the us who disembarks from a GAY CRUISE is clearly someone ” who come(s) from highly terror prone countries and that do(es) tons of traveling.”
You regressives are clueless and devoid of empathy. This is hardly an example of fake outrage, but of anxiety on the part of the gay man in question. But I suppose to you it is only your personal first world problems that are of any concern to anybody.
The many people who get screened randomly have no reason to fear deportation or detention. Just because it would have been a minor inconvenience for you (and i have no doubt you would pitch a hissy fit were it you) does not mean the same is true for others.
mhoffman953
@dwes09 Just because he has a green card and a history of employment does not mean he shouldn’t be vetted. Omar Mateen who killed 50 people in a gay nightclub had a history of employment, Syed Farook and his wife killed their co-workers in San Bernardino and were employed as well. Being a working person is irrelevant.
Also pointing out he’s gay has nothing to do with the topic. He didn’t experience extra vetting because he was gay.
How do you suppose we tackle this issue? Don’t vet anyone who originates from a terror prone country?
Heywood Jablowme
@dwes09: “Just because it would have been a minor inconvenience for you (and i have no doubt you would pitch a hissy fit were it you) does not mean the same is true for others.”
Ha. Definitely NOT true. I have a disability, so every single time I deal with TSA is a “harrowing” experience. Every… single… time. They yell at me and they’re generally nasty, and I’m afraid to say anything.
Brian S
I’m sure it was anxiety producing, but this story doesn’t seem to be any different than thousands of others every day. The point of screening is to find the bad guys, and they don’t come in holding their hands up saying “here I am!!” If you come from a part of the world that is hostile to to the US, you have to expect it. Still, I’m glad he made it through.