Orlando International Airport was quieter Monday following weekend protests against President Donald Trump’s new immigration executive order against those from some Islamic countries.
- Protester: 'You can't ban a human about his religion'
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The president says it is an effort to protect U.S. citizens from terrorism, but critics charge that it is unconstitutional and un-American.
At the Orlando International Airport, an estimated 500 people called for the president to take back his order.
“You can’t ban a human about his religion or his country. No, this cannot make America great,” said Enas Gebaly, a protester from Egypt.
Trump’s order is a 90-day ban of citizens from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the U.S. Those countries are: Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen.
But the order created confusion at airports across the country over the weekend, as airlines and government officials tried to interpret the order.
At least three people were detained at the airport over the weekend but later released after several hours.
Rep. Darren Soto, D-Kissimmee, went to the airport over the weekend to help those who were detained.
"We saw three family members both Central Florida residents and family members of Central Florida residents who were blocked at the airport," Soto said. "There were five over in San Fransisco at least that we both had to negotiate through here in Orlando and in San Fransisco."
"In addition, we saw over 10 people turned away," Soto said.
Three federal judges rescinded parts of the order over the weekend, Soto said.
"So it's a matter of making sure that the court order is enforced and to work with our courts to make sure that we don’t have people turned away that shouldn’t be.”
OIA spokesperson Carolyn Fennel said Monday that the airport did not know of any current detainees.
The order also suspended refugee admissions for 120 days and indefinitely bars the processing of Syrian refugees. The White House hopes the order gives the administration enough time to review immigration policies with the hope of enhancing security in the U.S.
Travelers at Orlando International Airport Monday were divided over the order.
“I think it’s un-American, I think it’s a disgrace to everything this country stands for," said Jessica West of Columbus, Ohio. "My family is very diverse, we have adopted children, Hindu family members, Japanese family members, and I've just grown up in a family that was inclusive to everyone.”
“Those protesters are protecting the snakes that are coming into our country to cause chaos," said Jay Sherrill of Virginia Beach, Virginia. "So I’m all for it, I’m an American, just like everybody else, I don’t look at this as a religious discrimination or race discrimination, it’s just putting more regulations, a little more screening process to ensure safety.”
Reporter John W. Davis contributed to this report.