In response to the Jan. 27 executive order signed by President Donald Trump blocking refugees and visitors from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the U.S., nine residents from Issaquah, Sammamish and North Bend gathered at the office of Congressman Dave Reichert on Tuesday, Jan. 31. They called on him to oppose the executive order.
In an official statement, Reichert, the Representative of Washington’s 8th Congressional District, criticized the implementation of the executive order, but did not take a stance on the travel ban itself. Thea Levkovitz, organizer of the group that met with Reichert’s staff Tuesday, said she would like to see him take a stronger stance on the issue.
“We need more than just soft-pedaled statements, we need really strong — not just statements — but action. We need him to work a number of different things, not just this,” she said.
While Reichert wasn’t in the office Tuesday, the group of Muslim, Jewish and Christian citizens met with his staff and spoke about their concerns in the current political climate. Levkovitz said Reichert’s office had received more than 700 calls in the days since the executive order from people around the district.
“We really talked, not just about this Muslim ban, but also about the atmosphere that is being created by consolidating power in the executive branch, very regressive and oppressive kinds of initiatives coming out of the current administration and we implored (Sue Foy, Reichert’s district director) to talk with our congressman, to be the moderate Republican and represent all of the people in this district,” Levkovitz said.
Refugee children still waiting
Aisha Shafique, member of the Sammamish Mosque’s board of directors, came to the meeting to share her story of how the travel ban — as it stood before a federal judge put a halt on the order Feb. 3 — has affected her community. Through the Lutheran Community Services Northwest Refugee and Immigrant Services program, Shafique and her husband were in the process of fostering two refugee children. They had sent their confirmation to Lutheran Community Services Northwest on Jan. 24, but plans halted once the executive order was signed that Friday.
“We had already said yes to two girls,” Shafique said. “But then we were informed right after the order on Friday, we were given a call and we were told that everything is frozen now and we don’t know what to expect…. Now we actually have no idea what is going to happen with them.”
Both Shafique and Levkovitz said the meeting went well and they felt that their concerns were heard, but they do not feel the congressman’s current statement goes far enough.
“It was certainly a friendly meeting, we feel like we were heard, and now we are waiting to see when the rubber hits the road what Congressman Reichert will do,” Levkovitz said.
Later that day, a press release from the office of Rep. Reichert announced that both Reichert and Rep. Pramila Jayapal cosponsored a bill to protect children from deportation. The bill, H.R. 496 or Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy (BRIDGE) Act, would allow people who meet the standards of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) to be protected from deportation for three years.
“I am proud to support these children by cosponsoring legislation to allow these individuals who are our neighbors, loved ones, colleagues and productive members of our communities to remain and work in America while we continue working toward a long-term immigration solution,” Reichert said.
“Our immigration system must be fair, effective, and compassionate toward the many families and individuals seeking to live the American dream and contribute to our communities.”
Uzam Shafique and Sadia Syed hold signs protesting the travel ban against Muslims and other actions of the Trump administration.(Evan Pappas/Staff Photo)
Thea Levkovitz, Roohi Wani, Nancy Lehman, and Valerie Mantz met at Congressman Reichert’s office last Tuesday, Jan. 25, to speak about the executive order blocking immigration from seven countries. (Evan Pappas/Staff Photo)
Aisha Shafique and Roohi Wani were just some of the Muslim citizens that came out to meet with Congressman Reichert’s staff. (Evan Pappas/Staff Photo)
