Barack Obama issues statement of support for protestors after Trump's travel ban

Former president Barack Obama issued his first statement on Monday since leaving the White House, expressing support for those who flooded airports and streets across America this weekend in protest of Trump's immigration ban.

Kevin Lewis -- a spokesman for the 44th president since his White House departure -- said the president is "heartened by the level of engagement taking place in communities around the country."

President Trump on Friday signed an executive order calling for an immediate suspension of the U.S. refugee program, as well as a suspension of entry for foreign nationals from seven Muslim-majority nations. Many in transit to America at the time of the order's signing were detained upon arrival on Saturday, spurring protests and mass gatherings across the country.

"Citizens exercising their Constitutional right to assemble, organize and have their voices heard by their elected officials is exactly what we expect to see when American values are at stake," Lewis said.

Lewis also spoke on Obama's view of the president's ban itself.

"With regard to comparisons to President Obama's foreign policy decisions, as we've heard before, the president fundamentally disagrees with the notion of discriminating against individuals because of their faith or religion," Lewis said.

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