"I am heartbroken," said Malala Yousafzai on Friday.
The teen activist released a statement on Facebook in response to President Trump's latest executive order regarding refugees from Muslim countries, in which he ordered "new vetting measures" to keep "radical Islamic terrorists" out of the United States.
"We don't want 'em here," Trump declared. "We want to ensure that we are not admitting into our country the very threats our soldiers are fighting overseas. We only want to admit those into our country who will support our country and love deeply our people."
In her statement, Yousafzai, who became the youngest person ever to accept the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014, spoke of her sorrow for the young refugees who have looked to America as a beacon of hope and new opportunity in the past, citing the experience of her friend Zaynab, a girl who fled from three countries during times of war, ultimately coming to the United States two years ago, after which she was able to graduate high school and has since gone on to college to become a human rights lawyer.
She closes her moving message by asking Trump "not to turn his back on the world's most defenseless children and families."
The statement reads:
"I am heartbroken that today President Trump is closing the door on children, mothers and fathers fleeing violence and war.
I am heartbroken that America is turning its back on a proud history of welcoming refugees and immigrants — the people who helped build your country, ready to work hard in exchange for a fair chance at a new life.
I am heartbroken that Syrian refugee children, who have suffered through six years of war by no fault of their own, are singled-out for discrimination.
I am heartbroken for girls like my friend Zaynab, who fled wars in three countries — Somalia, Yemen and Egypt — before she was even 17. Two years ago she received a visa to come to the United States. She learned English, graduated high school and is now in college studying to be a human rights lawyer.
Zaynab was separated from her little sister when she fled unrest in Egypt. Today her hope of being reunited with her precious sister dims.
In this time of uncertainty and unrest around the world, I ask President Trump not to turn his back on the world's most defenseless children and families."
