Page 4 - ARUBA TODAY
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A4 U.S. NEWS
Thursday 16 February 2017
As thousands become citizens in Los Angeles, some talk Trump
AMANDA LEE MYERS rorism and there are bad
Associated Press people in our own country,
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Some and we wouldn’t like to be
wiping tears from their considered one of them,”
eyes, thousands of peo- said Haikal, a 36-year-old
ple became U.S. citizens financial adviser. “There
Wednesday during a Los are a lot of good people
Angeles ceremony where over there that can par-
President Donald Trump ticipate in the growth of
wasn’t far from many of this country.” Haikal said
the immigrants’ thoughts. he felt proud to become
Shortly after posing in front an American. “It’s one of
of a massive American the best countries in the
flag, 21-year-old Iranian world,” he said. “I like to
immigrant Erik Danialian be a citizen of a country
said he was relieved to be- that has lots of freedom,
come a U.S. citizen in the democracy and equal
wake of Trump’s ban on rights.” Gevorg Ishkhan-
travelers from seven pre- yan, an Armenian who be-
dominantly Muslim nations, came a U.S. citizen with his
including Iran. wife at the ceremony, said
“I feel safer,” said Dani- he supports the travel ban
alian, whose mother and and Trump.
sister also became citizens People wave U.S. flags during a naturalization ceremony at the Los Angeles Convention Center, “Too many people want to
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, in Los Angeles. About 3,000 people took the oath in the morning and
during the ceremony. “I more than 3,500 others were expected during an afternoon ceremony, according to U.S. Citizen- live here,” said the 39-year-
hope whoever deserves it ship and Immigration Services officials. old. “There are countries
gets a fair chance to come (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) that have dangerous peo-
to America.” ple.”
Sofian Haikal of Syria said His wife chimed in with a
he also felt relieved to be- different opinion.
come a citizen after liv- “Being an immigrant and
ing in Los Angeles for four saying there are too many
years, though he’s worried people, it’s kind of unfair
his parents won’t get per- to other immigrants,” said
mission to come the U.S. Ana Ishkhanyan. “It’s un-
to meet their 3-month-old fair that people are being
grandson. judged by other people
“We are suffering from ter- from their countries.”q
Immigrant workers, families
to protest by staying home
ERRIN HAINES WHACK blamed high unemploy-
Associated Press ment on immigration.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Orga- Employers and institutions
nizers in cities across the U.S. in some cities were al-
are telling immigrants to ready expressing solidar-
miss class, miss work and ity Wednesday with immi-
not shop on Thursday as a grant workers. Washington
way to show the country restaurateur John Andrade
how important they are to said he would close his busi-
America’s economy and nesses Thursday, and David
way of life. Suro, owner of Tequilas Res-
“A Day Without Immigrants” taurant in Philadelphia and
actions are planned in cit- a Mexican immigrant, said
ies including Philadelphia, he also planned to partici-
Washington, Boston and pate.
Austin, Texas. The Davis Museum at
The protest comes in re- Wellesley College in Mas-
sponse to President Donald sachusetts said it would
Trump and his 1-month- remove or shroud all art-
old administration. The work created or given by
Republican president has immigrants to the museum
pledged to increase de- through Feb. 21.
portation of immigrants liv- In New Mexico, the state
ing in the country illegally, with the largest percent-
build a wall along the Mexi- age of Hispanic residents in
can border, and ban peo- the nation, school officials
ple from certain majority- worried that hundreds of
Muslim countries from com- students may stay home on
ing into the U.S. He also has Thursday.q
