Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe and Attorney General Mark Herring expressed outrage over President Donald Trump’s Executive Order barring refugees and travelers from certain Muslim countries from entering the United States.
The seven Muslim-majority countries are Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
In 2015, then Governor, now Vice President Mike Pence opposed a ban on Muslims, calling such a ban “unconstitutional.”
Calls to ban Muslims from entering the U.S. are offensive and unconstitutional.— Governor Mike Pence (@GovPenceIN) December 8, 2015
McAuliffe and Herring spoke Saturday at a press conference at Dulles International Airport, where travelers were being detained. The Virginia lawmakers issued the following statements.
Statement of Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe
“I am outraged and disappointed by the actions President Trump has taken to ban travelers from certain Muslim nations and to close our country to families seeking refuge from persecution. This executive order is antithetical to the values that make America great, and it will make our country less safe.
“On behalf of the people of Virginia, I urge President Trump and leaders in Washington to reverse this policy and restore our nation to its place as a beacon of opportunity for all. In the meantime, my administration will work with Attorney General Mark Herring to identify any and all legal steps we can take to oppose this dangerous and divisive policy.”
Statement of Attorney General Mark R. Herring
“This order is in direct conflict with the most foundational principles of our country and our Commonwealth. For generations, the United States has been a beacon of hope and a safe harbor for those in need. President Trump is dimming that light and slamming the door in the face of vulnerable people fleeing unimaginable circumstances. He is also sending a terrible signal to minority communities that they too could be the target of his ire and telling Muslims in Virginia and around the country that they are inferior because of their faith. That is simply shameful.
“Along with Gov. McAuliffe, my team and I are closely examining this order, something President Trump and his administration apparently failed to do before issuing it, and exploring any options we may have to oppose this un-American, discriminatory, and misguided action.”
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“I’m deeply disappointed by @POTUS actions to close our country to Muslim travelers & people seeking refuge from persecution” #MuslimBan pic.twitter.com/bTiYtxWra1— Terry McAuliffe (@GovernorVA) January 28, 2017
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Gov: “My team and @AGMarkHerring are assessing the legal and policy steps we can take to oppose this policy”— Terry McAuliffe (@GovernorVA) January 28, 2017
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Gov: “This executive order is antithetical to the values that make America great. It will not make our country safer” pic.twitter.com/O4xFbAJx2v— Terry McAuliffe (@GovernorVA) January 28, 2017
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Gov: “Our nation is a beacon of democracy for the world. We can’t afford to turn our backs on those values now.” #MuslimBan— Terry McAuliffe (@GovernorVA) January 28, 2017
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This stands in direct conflict w/ our American & VA values. What this Pres has done is unconscionable & dangerous. https://t.co/D7DkoH5mHA— Mark Herring (@MarkHerringVA) January 28, 2017
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The moment some of those detained emerged from detention here in Dulles pic.twitter.com/7p22grGkGS— Yeganeh Torbati (@yjtorbati) January 29, 2017
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