Ron Rivera Discusses Donald Trump's Travel Ban, Says 'We Can't Lock People Out'

Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera believes the conversation surrounding the United States' immigration policy, including the proposed travel ban by President Donald Trump, should focus less on politics and more on the impact those decisions have on families.

On Tuesday, Darin Gantt of Pro Football Talk passed along comments by Rivera, who's of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent, made during an interview with Ahiza Garcia of CNN Money. He tried to get his point across without making a major political stand in either direction.

"I think people have to understand that whatever the President is trying to do, whatever he's trying to get across, it's really not about what he's saying, it's about how we react and how we do things," Rivera said. "There's a group of people that are trying to make better lives for their families, and that's what it really should be about."

Rivera added: "I think what everybody has to understand, more so than anything else, is that's what America's foundation is built on. We can't lock people out because of that."

CNN Money provided more of the exchange between Garcia and Rivera:

In early February, Adam Liptak of the New York Times reported a federal appeals panel rejected an attempt by President Trump to get his executive order focused on travel from "seven largely Muslim nations" reinstated after it was blocked by a federal district judge.

Alan Gomez of USA Today reported last week the administration was working toward a "streamlined" ban rather than continue the legal fight over the prior order.

It's an issue with an almost even split in how Americans view the efforts. Jennifer Agiesta of CNN noted a CNN/ORC poll showed 53 percent oppose the order and 47 percent support it.

Rivera told Garcia he wants to see the people impacted by the immigration issue, whether through the travel ban or a potential border wall with Mexico, treated based on their individual merits rather than get caught up in a political debate.

"What I take from this, and what I hope people take from this, is you can be whatever you want, it's up to you," the Panthers coach said. "You have to put in the work, you've gotta do the things that you're supposed to do, but at the end of the day, all you need is an opportunity."

Rivera's comments come as the Associated Press reports the new executive order on immigration is expected to be signed as soon as Wednesday.