On Friday, Jan. 27, 2017, President Donald J. Trump changed this country forever.

As I sat in my political science class, surfing through my phone, a notification from CNN popped up. Two words caught my attention.

“Ban” and “refugees.” 

I sat in silence and proceeded to read the article. Trump signed an executive order that barred citizens from seven countries from entering the country for the next 90 days. Not only is this ban going against America’s core values and beliefs, it is also creating a dangerous schism within our country. America is no longer a democracy.

My parents immigrated to the United States from Ethiopia in the ’90s. They came in as refugees and America proudly welcomed them.

They came to this country seeking a better life and got what they asked for. However, this isn’t the case for my Irani, Iraqi, Libyan, Somali, Sudani, Syrian and Yemeni brothers and sisters who dream of living a life somewhat similar to my parents.

More than 200 million people are unable to enter the United States because of this ban. Trump claims that this ban will prevent potential terrorist attacks on U.S. soil and will be fundamental in defeating ISIS.

But this is exactly what ISIS wants.

How many refugees from the countries banned by Trump have killed someone on American soil?

Zero.

What’s the first military operation that was conducted under Trump? A U.S. raid in Yemen that killed eight-year-old Noura al-Awlaki, who lost both her father and brother during a raid in Yemen under President Obama’s presidency. All three were American citizens.

From the refugee ban to threatening to tax Mexican imports in an effort to build a trivial wall. To firing acting Attorney General Sally Yates for refusing to defend Trump’s ban. Trump has already shown how much of an egomaniac he is.

This nation was built on immigrants and has always welcomed refugees. It is imperative that we prevent this racist, sexist, xenophobic, demagogue from destroying the land of the free and home of the brave.