NYU Classmates Send An Open Letter to Kushner Regarding Trump's Immigration Ban

By Nethani Palmani | Jan 31, 2017 06:50 PM EST

Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and adviser, received an open letter from his fellow NYU Law classmates, addressing Trump's immigration ban that blocks refugees from seven Muslim-majority nations from entering the U.S. The order has caused an immediate outcry in the nation after being issued by Trump.

The Jewish-born real-estate developer, who owns the New York Observer, has become Trump's "de facto campaign manager." Married to Ivanka Trump, he has liaised with many influential figures, including Rupert Murdoch, Henry Kissinger, Paul Ryan, and Roger Ailes. While Ivanka counsels Trump on his rhetoric and policy choices, Jared is his instrument for campaigns and running-mate selection.

The letter opens up with concerns regarding Trump's stated immigration proposals, addressing Kushner as "the grandchild of Holocaust survivors". Kushner who was raised in a Jewish Orthodox background, revealed in one of the articles in Observer the story of his grandparents - holocaust survivors from Poland who emigrated to the United States in 1949.

The letter makes a special emphasis on Kushner's grandmother, Rae Kushner. She was a philanthropist and founder of the Kushner Companies.

Rae Kushner was vocal about immigration policies and even shared testimonies on her struggles as a Nazi-era refugee with nowhere to go, according to The Nation. Having seen the passion of his grandmother, Jared is challenged by his classmates to exercise his power and capitalise his access to the wealth of U.S. by allowing the "members of other historically despised groups" to enjoy the opportunities available within the country.

The letter that was originally sent on December 16 to Kushner, has not received any response from him by far. You may read the full excerpt of the letter here.

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