【1996 Archives】

In the chaotic996 Archives heartbreaking wake of Donald Trump's "Muslim ban," Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau is projecting a markedly different message.

On Saturday, Trudeau tweeted in solidarity with refugees, including those unable to enter the United States under the president's executive order. "To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith," he said. "Diversity is our strength."

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The prime minister also tweeted a photo of himself welcoming a refugee family at a Canadian airport. "Bienvenue au Canada (Welcome to Canada)," he wrote.

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Trudeau's divide with Trump on the refugee crisis is no surprise -- Canada is well-known for its ambitious refugee resettlement program. Since November 2015, the country has welcomed over 39,000 refugees from Syria alone, the very country on which Trump has imposed an indefinite ban.

Earlier this month, Trudeau appointed Ahmed Hussen, a lawyer, activist and former refugee who fled to Canada from Somalia in 1993, as Canada's Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. (Under Trump's order, Somali citizens are banned from entering the United States.)

Trudeau has also displayed a clear emotional attachment to the cause. In December, he famously teared up as recent transplant Vanig Garabedian described how grateful he was to live in Canada.

President Trump has not yet responded to Trudeau's tweets.

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