Following Donald Trump's executive order to prevent entry to the US from citizens of seven countries, the Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau has come forward to confirm that refugees are welcome in Canada.
In a tweet which has now reached over 322 thousand shares, Justin wrote: "To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada." He then tweeted of photo of himself greeting a young girl, simply with the hashtag: "#WelcomeToCanada." A spokesperson for the PM also told The Associated Press: "The Prime Minister is looking forward to discussing the successes of Canada's immigration and refugee policy with the President when they next speak."
Celebrities have taken to the social media site to condemn the 90-day ban which prevents travel to the US by citizens of Libya, Somalia, Yemen, Iraq, Iran, Sudan and Syria. Sophia Bush wrote: "THESE are the HUMAN BEINGS Trump banned today. REFUGEES fleeing ISIS. Children. Their families. Shame on him. May God help us," while Kerry Washington added: "Sick to my stomach today about the #MuslimBan. Don't understand why? Go to @Stl_Manifest & learn the awful history of US rejecting refugees." Meanwhile, Miley Cyrus shared a photo of the statue of Liberty with a message which read: "Stand with immigrants," while filmmaker Michael Moore wrote: "To our Muslim neighbours in the world: I & tens of millions of others are so very sorry. The majority of Americans did not vote for this man."
British MPs including Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn have also criticised the ban. Jeremy wrote: "British citizens banned from the US and our government has nothing to say? Disgrace." The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan released a statement on his Facebook page calling the ban "cruel". He wrote: "President Trump's ban on refugees and immigrants from certain countries is shameful and cruel. The USA has a proud history of welcoming and resettling refugees. The President can't just turn his back on this global crisis - all countries need to play their part."
© Photo: Getty ImagesTheresa met with President Trump earlier this week
Following her meeting with President Trump, Prime Minister Theresa May also released a statement about the new policy. "Immigration policy in the United States is a matter for the government of the United States, just the same as immigration policy for this country should be set by our government," a spokesperson said. "But we do not agree with this kind of approach and it is not one we will be taking."
