Congress, speak up on travel ban

Re “A new fight as travel ban takes effect,” June 30

The Trump administration doubled down on its discriminatory Muslim and refugee ban, showing a cruel indifference to families and those fleeing horrifying levels of violence.

There are 26,000 refugees awaiting resettlement in the U.S. If the administration does not change its interpretation of a “bona fide entity” to include resettlement organizations and expand its narrow definition of family, many thousands could be stranded. The administration is jeopardizing the lives of the world’s most vulnerable people by forcing those with no place to go to remain in life-threatening situations.

No part of this policy is reasonable and no part of it is compassionate. The president should not be allowed to invoke the pretext of national security to override the protection of human rights, including religious freedom.

Congress has stayed silent for too long. It must step in and nullify this ban once and for all. Ann Burroughs

Los Angeles The writer is board chair of Amnesty International USA.

The Trump administration’s decision to block travelers from six predominantly Muslims countries and prohibit refugees from everywhere represents the difference between being reactive and proactive.

If you’re reactive, you wait until terrorists strike before doing something about it. Lives are lost, making you vulnerable to criticism for not having the foresight to see terrorism coming and to prevent it.

If you’re proactive, you take measures to prevent terrorism before it happens. That makes you vulnerable to criticism for solving a problem many people don’t think exists.

If you’re anti-Trump, you will probably call his proactive approach racist and anti-Muslim. If you’re pro-Trump, you will probably say it is overprotecting the country by taking measures to prevent terrorism. Which would you rather be, overprotected by a travel ban or less protected until an attack? I’d rather the country be overprotected. Bill Gravlin

Rancho Palos Verdes