Introduction: 

Executive Order 13769

What is Executive Order 13769?

On January 27, 2017, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 13769 (ACLU Washington). The purpose of the executive order was,  “...to protect the American people from terrorist attacks by foreign nationals admitted to the United States…” (White House, 2017). To achieve this objective, the executive order blocked admission from the following countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen for 90 days (ACLU Washington). Additionally, it prohibited all refugees arriving in the country for 120 days (ACLU Washington). Due to the seven countries being predominantly Muslim countries, the executive order was given the identifying name ‘Muslim Ban’ by the media. Despite the outrage from the public, ultimately, the Supreme Court upheld Executive Order 13769 in a five-to-four decision (Chen, 2018). Due to the outrage, people from the community, as well as elected officials, aided in releasing two individuals who were held in custody by Customs and Border Protection following the law under Executive Order 13769 (ACLU Washington).

The executive order was highly criticized due to the inference that terrorists come from predominantly Muslim countries, a prejudiced stereotype that emerged after the September 11 terrorist attacks (Chen, 2018). As stated before, President Trump justified Executive Order 13769 by explaining he was protecting the American people from terrorist attacks (ACLU Washington). However, President Trump failed to include Saudi Arabia, where the majority of the hijackers were from (9/11 Memorial & Museum). Donald Trump’s presidential reign marked a time of heightened tension, illustrated through social division, and was then justified through the legislation Trump passed. Despite the outrage from the public, ultimately, the Supreme Court upheld Trump's Executive Order 13769 in a five-to-four decision (Chen, 2018). 

Why I selected to analyze Executive Order 13769.

I selected to analyze the sociological-religious event, Executive Order 13769, because I am interested in how state powers utilize the law to establish their ideology despite it being unconstitutional.  As a prospective law school student interested in pursuing public-interest, watching the consequences of Executive Order 13769 play out was devastating. Despite not being surprised by President Trump's actions to pass a highly discriminatory law by avoiding Congress, it was appalling to see the Supreme Court uphold Executive Order 13769. It is significant to analyze such events by utilizing sociological theories to dissect and understand why they transpire, and hopefully prevent them.