'It Makes Multiple Americans Feel Unsafe and Unwelcome in Their Own Country'

This interview is part of Broadly's Voices Against the Ban series. You can read more of these voices here.

Broadly: Why do you oppose Trump's immigration restrictions?

Yumna, 17, New Jersey: I am against Donald Trump's immigration ban because it promotes negative stigma against Muslims, perpetuates religious discrimination, and makes multiple Americans feel unsafe and unwelcome in their own country.

Do you feel that you are directly affected by this?

Of course, because a ban like this associates Muslims with terror or danger. So anyone that is a Muslim or wears a scarf like I do is associated with danger and terror. So of course it affects all Muslims. Any discriminatory policies don't apply to just Muslims; it affects all minority groups. It's negative stigma against minorities.

Why do you oppose Trump's immigration restrictions?

Learta, 17, New York/New Jersey: I am against Donald Trump's immigration ban because I was once a refugee. My family and I emigrated from Kosovo in '99 and we came here for a better life just like these other people, and they're not able to enter.

How do you feel affected now?

I'm afraid that family members who do have green cards won't be allowed to enter the country and things like that. Even though they're not in the countries they're talking about, they're being stopped as well.

Anything to add?

I'm just glad that students are organizing it and I'm happy to participate.

This interview has been edited and condensed.