TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo admitted that he is not concerned about the new US immigration policy under President Donald Trump administration. Trump recently issued an executive to temporarily bans citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from setting foot on American soil.
"Why be worried?" Jokowi said on Monday, January 30, 2017.
The order, signed on Friday, January 27, 2017, essentially bars Muslim citizens from entering the United States. Seven countries included in the policy are Syria, Iran, Irak, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Trump's decision was met with mixed reactions across the globe.
The temporary ban for Muslim citizens applies for the next 90 days meanwhile admission of all refugees is suspended for the next 120 days.
President Jokowi requested all Indonesian citizens that plan on visiting and that are already in the United States to remain calm. Jokowi stated that Trump did not include Indonesia in his ban policy. "We are not affected by the policy," Jokowi said.
Separately, Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry urged Indonesians that plan to travel to the US or have settled in the country, to always respect local laws and participate in maintaining public order. The Foreign Affairs Ministry also reminded that if they get in trouble with immigrations, they can ask for assistance from every available Indonesian representative in the US.
"The 24-hour hotline service has been activated. Indonesian representatives across the United States will continue to observe the development that is taking place and anticipates the effect that might emerge for Indonesian citizens," said Director General of Indonesian Citizens and Legal Entities (WNI-BHI), Muhammad Iqbal.
ISTMAN M.P.