Thread: Draft order: Trump to halt U.S. entry from several Middle Eastern countries

Draft order: Trump to halt U.S. entry from several Middle Eastern countries

01/25/17 07:52 PM EST



The Trump administration will temporarily suspend the entry of foreign nationals from some Muslim-majority countries through executive order, according to refugee advocacy groups who have obtained what they say is a draft copy of an order to be signed by the new president.

The document, which has been published by several news outlets and was obtained separately by The Hill, is titled "Protecting the Nation from Terrorist Attacks by Foreign Nationals."

It would suspend entry into the U.S. from select countries starting 30 days after the order is issued. The countries in question include Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen.

The White House did not immediately respond to questions from The Hill about the document. In the meantime, the order instructs the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence to conduct a review to determine the information needed from any country to verify the identities of those looking to enter, and to make sure they are not a security or public-safety threat. A report on the determinations would be due at the end of the 30 days.

Foreign governments that do not already supply such information would be requested to begin doing so within 60 days of notification. Nationals from countries who do not comply would be prohibited from entering the U.S. until compliance occurs.

The Secretary of State or Secretary of Homeland Security could add additional countries to the list of prohibited countries, but they could also approve individuals on a case-by-case basis, the draft order states.

The order would also suspend all refugee admissions into the U.S. for 120 days. During that time, the Secretary of State is instructed to review refugee application procedures. Those who have already applied for admission would have their applications placed on hold and resumed once the review is complete.

Refugee applications by religious minorities facing persecution would be prioritized, the order says. Refugee admissions from Syria would be ceased entirely until Trump has determined that necessary changes have been made to the refugee admissions program, known as the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.

The secretaries of State and Homeland Security may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis, and continue to process applications for religious minorities facing persecution in their countries.

The total number of refugees allowed into the U.S. in fiscal year 2017 will be reduced to 50,000 from 110,000.

The order also instructs the Secretary of State to come up with a plan to provide "safe areas" in Syria where refugees can reside, something Trump called for on the campaign trail.

It also instructs the Secretary of Homeland Security to speed implementation of a biometric screening system for entry, and would require interviews for all non-immigrant visa seekers.
Trump could reportedly sign the order as early as Thursday. On Wednesday, he took steps to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border and reinforce immigration law.

Trump has called for "extreme vetting" of those seeking to enter the U.S. from countries linked to terrorism, and has blasted the U.S. refugee program as a potential vessel for terrorists to enter America.

http://thehill.com/policy/defense/31...tern-countries

This figure could be reduced if they determine large numbers of terrorists trying to get into this country when they do the extreme vetting. Most of these refugees are young men meaning that they are not here for asylum.