Justin Trudeau takes on Trump with a perfectly timed photo

"Diversity is our strength."
 By 
Chloe Bryan
 on 
Justin Trudeau takes on Trump with a perfectly timed photo
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 11: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at the Global Progress luncheon sponsored by the Center for American Progress March 11, 2016 in Washington, DC. Trudeau is on a state visit to Washington, his first since being elected Prime Minister. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) Credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images

In the chaotic, 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."

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.

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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Chloe Bryan

Chloe was the shopping editor at Mashable. She was also previously a culture reporter. You can follow her on Twitter at @chloebryan.

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