'Everyone Wants to Be Safe; They Want Their Families to Be Safe'

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 bans?

Lena, 20, Canada: I oppose it because it's not just about what's happening in America. I don't think it just affects the people there. It's people who are getting emergency surgery in the US, people who are international students and going to school there. I think it affects everything around the world; just look at all these populous movements that are coming up. I know that obviously Canada has problems of its own. It's hurting people, even refugees who are running away for their safety, it's hurting them. That's why I oppose it.

Is this affecting you or anyone in your family?

I think it just makes me worry sometimes when I'm interacting with people. You know how they say the silent majority. It hasn't impacted me greatly, but it's just these little worries that I have all day. It's impacted people I know. My friend, her fiancee is in the US and she's from one of the seven countries so I'm not sure what's gonna happen with that now. It hasn't marginally affected me yet but it really could.

"If I had one thing to say to Trump about these immigration restrictions, it would be…"

I don't know if it's possible to do that at this point but I would say, try to put yourself in the shoes of these refugees that you're not allowing to come in. If you and your children had bombs raining down on your head, what could you do then? All the money in the world isn't going to help you. All the stuff you have isn't going to be very helpful. I think people are not that different from you. Everyone wants to be safe; they want their families to be safe. I would suggest that maybe he would try to do that.

This interview has been edited and condensed.