'It Was Meant to Wreak Havoc on the Lives of Innocent People'

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?

Negar, 25, Los Angeles: The day after the inauguration, I called my mom in a panic asking when my grandma, a dual citizen, would be coming back from Iran (she spends half the year there and the other half in LA). "I wouldn't be surprised if they banned Iranians from entering the country entirely. I know it sounds insane, but this administration is insane," is nearly verbatim what I said to my mom on the phone.

Unfortunately, my premonition came true and the ban literally went into effect as my grandma was flying from Tehran to Los Angeles. I kept calling and texting my mom asking for updates. The thought of my grandmother traveling across the world by herself in such a state of panic and uncertainty made me cry. I had never felt such relief in my life as when my mom texted me a photo of my cousin greeting my grandma at LAX. Despite her ordeal, my grandma and our family are one of the lucky ones.

This executive order labeled a religion as a national security risk, and that has dangerous implications. Before this ban, traveling as a Muslim in this country was already an exercise in humiliation. Now, it's just soul crushing. But this is just their first step. After what has transpired, it's naive to think this administration won't pursue Muslim Americans next.

This ban, which they claim is meant to keep us safe from terrorists, is a terrorist act: It was meant to wreak havoc on the lives of innocent people and their families. That is why I am against it.

This interview has been edited and condensed.