Airport detentions spur protest in Philly, across nation [photos]

Updated: Sat., January 28, 11:10 p.m.

As news of the detentions spread, protesters gathered at airports across the nation, including Philadelphia International.

On Friday President Donald Trump signed an executive order suspending all immigration from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen — countries with terrorism concerns.

Since then, at least a dozen people have been detained by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officials at airports and many more are expected to be turned away in the coming days.

A federal law enforcement official says legal permanent residents and visa-holders from those seven Muslim-majority nations who have left the United States won’t be allowed to return for 90 days. Those already in the U.S. with a visa or green card, diplomats, and foreigners whose entry is in the U.S. national interest will be allowed to stay.

Of the dozen refugees initially detained at  John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, Iraqi national, Hameed Darweesh, who had worked on behalf of the U.S. government, and has since been released.

As news of the detentions spread, protesters began to gather at airports across the nation including Philadelphia International where organizers are also planning an action for Sunday.

Small children and parents, new immigrants and longtime residents, #philly under the Constitution #letthemin #NoBanNoWall @PHLAirport pic.twitter.com/z1tyvCF9su

— Philly We Rise (@phillywerise) January 29, 2017

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, Senator Bob Casey, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, Congressman Bob Brady, Representative Brian Sims, Representative Jordan Harris, and Councilwoman Helen Gym joined the growing crowd of protesters, voicing their support for the detained refugees, as well as for the two Syrian families that were turned away upon arrival Saturday morning.

.@PhillyMayor briefing #NoBanNoWallprotest now. Ilegally detained families to get hearing overnight or tmrw morning. #PhillyResists pic.twitter.com/kKUyXh2Y7E

— Helen Gym (@HelenGymAtLarge) January 29, 2017

 

Follow along with our reporters and readers as we continue to cover breaking developments over the weekend.

[View the story “Refugees detained, denied entry to US” on Storify]