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This never was an issue of religious or racial bias, contrary to arguments by his opponents,” said Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform. “This temporary pause in immigration to the United States from dangerous regions of the world gives our government time to correct longstanding and mounting loopholes in the admissions process. This order reduces current risks and assures heightened national security moving forward.”

But Philly leaders disagreed, calling the order a clear sign of religious and racial discrimination. Many called on the public to ask elected officials to push to change the laws that allowed this ban to take effect.

“This White House practices and believes in a philosophy of white nationalism,” said Rev. Gregory Holston, executive director of the interfaith social justice organization POWER (Philadelphians Organized to Witness, Empower, and Rebuild). “All of our faiths stand together against this Muslim ban. And we will fight and we will fight. We say to all people, are you willing to take up the standard and fight yourself?”

A protest is planned starting at Logan Square at 19th and the Ben Franklin Parkway at 11 a.m. of Trump’s immigration policies under which parents and children are separated at the border, which is expected to include protests of the travel ban.

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