Law partners Leigh Ann Webster and Sydney Strickland showed up at the international terminal of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport late Monday morning with placards and free legal advice to anyone who would be detained under the new immigration ban.
“This happens to line up with what we do which is immigration and illegal detention,” Strickland said.
“We’re surprised and outraged by the executive order and what it means for people who are coming here who pose no threat whatsoever to the country,” Webster said. “What’s been so impressive is seeing the number of people coming together and seeing the number of attorneys who’ve come together to offer help and do whatever they can.”
The pair is part of a group of at least 40 attorneys and legal experts in Atlanta who've band together in response to Pres. Trump's executive order to ban travelers from seven countries. The International Refugee Assistance Project in New York has been coordinate the national effort with the Southern Poverty Law Center overseeing the Atlanta efforts.
The mood at the airport was decidely low-key compared to the weekend when thousands of protestors showed up at the domestic and international terminals to oppose President Trump’s latest crackdown on immigration. He imposed a ban on travelers from seven countries which led to 11 people being detained at Atlanta airport over the weekend.
Matthew Awalt, an American just arrived from Seoul, Korea where he works as an English teacher at Myongji University, stopped to talk to the attorneys about the changes that have taken place in the U.S.
“Last time I was home was six months ago,” said Awalt, 34, who’s home this time for about three weeks. “We’re definitely going through a transition. I hope the ones who were apathetic about voting will take a stand. It’s a diplomatic nightmare. China is going nuts. People in Korea are a little worried about trade deals and whether troops may be withdrawn or sized down.”
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