Inaugurated less than two weeks ago, actions taken by newly elected US President, Donald Trump, has left many disturbed. People are unsure about their future, their safety and their families.On Friday, January 27th Trump signed an executive order blocking citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days. This order also suspends all refugees from seeking asylum in the United States for 120 days and barred Syrian refugees indeterminately, resulting in 100-200 people being detained at American airports -separated from their families and loved ones and being ‘sent home.’Many protests took place around the world and at airports in response to what is known as the #MuslimBan. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other activist groups filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of two detainees being held at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.New York Federal Judge, Ann M. Donnelly, blocked part of the ban over the weekend, stopping the government from deporting those who had already arrived in the United States.On Sunday morning, the Department of Homeland Security issued a statement in compliance with court orders and Trump’s executive order leaving many in disarray. Hate only ensues hate and barring innocent people and those seeking safety in the name of terrorism only perpetrates a divide – bringing us back to the Cold War.Is Canada truly the peaceful neighbour?Often Canada is represented as the friendlier neighbour to the North. Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau takes selfies and pictures with pandas, so in comparison to the US, we are depicted as peaceful and welcoming.Contrary to Trump’s election promises, Trudeau promised for more Syrian refugees to be granted asylum in Canada. Trudeau promised to take 25 000 Syrian refugees by the end of 2015 during his campaign. However, he constantly pushed back the date of his promise and many refugees still face a backlog in their applications being processed. Thousands of Syrian refugees were privately sponsored. By the end of 2016, the Liberal Government went back on their promise in capping the number of privately sponsored Syrian refugees to 1000 in 2017.Trudeau started a #WelcomeToCanada hashtag in response to Trump’s executive order, with an old picture of himself with a young refugee. Again, Canada is portrayed as the friendlier neighbour, but political leadership needs to go beyond selfies and empty promises.• Syrian Refugees’ basic needs are not being met often ending up with frost-bites and little-to-no supports for settlement• PM Trudeau sold $15-billion of armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia reminding of us of the US’ militant role in the Middle East• PM Trudeau has been inconsistent on the Temporary Foreign Worker program• Pulling on the heartstrings of Canadians, PM Trudeau focuses on Syrian refugees but not African asylum-seekers or others around the worldSadly, Canada is not immune to hate and Islamophobia. A horrific terrorist attack at a Quebec City mosque overnight left 6 people dead and 8 injured last night. People may feel like their hands are tied and they are unsure about what they can do. Here are some ways you can take action:1. Email your local MP to request the Emergency Debate that NDP MPP Jenny Kwan has called for http://www.ndp.ca/news/ndp-calls-emergency-debate-address-trump-immigration-ban2. Share this information:If anyone knows a Syrian, Iranian, Iraqi, Somali, Sudanese, or Yemeni green card holder who is stuck outside the US with tickets to return to IAD (Dulles Airport)--please contact Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg. He is the Director of the Immigrant Advocacy Program at the Legal Aid Center in Washington, DC.simon@justice4all.org703-778-34503. Call, email, visit or reach out to a friend or family member who is affected by Islamophobia to let them know you are here4. Say no to Islamophobia by joining a peaceful protest or a vigil in your neighbourhood https://www.facebook.com/events/407436779648169/5. Sign the Broadbent Institute Petition so that Canada can act now:http://www.broadbentinstitute.ca/travel_ban_petitionCheck out these articles for details:• https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/12/24/ottawas-new-cap-on-refugee-applications-upsets-sponsors.html• http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canada-must-stick-to-its-word-on-saudi-arms-deal-trudeau-says/article29981571/• https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2016/08/24/trudeau-liberals-tiptoe-into-temporary-foreign-workers-minefield-walkom.html• http://time.com/4031569/migrant-crisis-europe-african-refugees/