President Trump’s Executive Order concerning Immigration & Limiting Refugees into the United States

What is it about?

On Friday, 27^th January, the 45^th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, signed an executive order called, “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States”. According to the Trump administration, the purpose of this executive order is to protect the citizens of the United States from terrorist attacks by foreign nationals allowed passage into the United States.

Reasons behind the Implementation of This Executive order

For a foreign national to gain entry into the United States, he or she must obtain a United States visa. The visas issued by the United States include nonimmigrant visas, whichallow a foreign national entry into the United States temporary, and immigrant visas; this visa is meantfor foreign nationals who wish to live in the United States permanently.

According to President Trump’s Executive Order on immigrants and refugees, “visa-issuance process plays a crucial role in detecting individuals with terrorist ties and stopping them from entering the United States.” The executive order also added that since the 9/11 terror attacks of 2001, “numerous foreign-born individuals” who were allowed entry into the United States on visas “have been convicted or implicated in terrorism-related crimes.” The executive order is, therefore, meant to “prevent the admission of foreign nationals who intend to exploit United States immigration laws for malevolent purposes.”

However, experts disagree that this executive order can keep America Safe. About 1000 diplomats from the Department of State have expressed an opinion (by signing a petition) that they do not think that the executive order will make America Safe and they think that it will hurt foreign relations and the relations that America has with its allies who are helping in the fight against terrorism. In addition, a majority of the Senators have either not commented on the ban or have opposed the ban.  Federal judges in New York, Massachusetts, Virginia have stayed the deportation of many individuals, who have come into the country last week. Several more cases have been filed in Federal Court.

It is a well-known fact, that none of the 9/11 terrorists came from these countries and none of the terrorist acts in America were committed by nationals from these countries.

As a result of this order 20,000 refugees who are living in pitiable conditions have not been allowed entry into the United States.

Significant Changes Caused by the Executive order To Current United States Immigration Policies : 

1. The Suspension of Issuance and Immigration Benefits to Foreign Nationals of 7 Countries Including Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.

Foreign nationals of the 7 countries stated above (including both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa holders) are to be denied entry into the United States for 90 days, starting from when the executive order was signed. During the 90 day time period, the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Secretary of State of the United States can submit names of additional countries to be added to the list of the 7 countries mentioned. The denial of entry into the United States does not affect legal permanent U.S. residents. (For more info on this see, “Does the executive order ban lawful permanent residents (i.e., green-card holders)?” section)

2. The Implementation of Uniform Screening Standards for All Immigration Programs

The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence, is expected to define the information needed to determine (a) if a foreign national is who they claim they are and (b) whether or not this foreign national is a potential threat to public safety, within the next 30 days.

In addition, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Director of National Intelligence, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Secretary of State are expected to produce a uniform screening standard and procedure that will:

A- decide whether or not a foreign nation is trying to fraudulently obtain a United States visa,
B- determine a process to evaluate the likelihood of U.S. visa applicant becoming a positively contributing member of the American society, and
C- find a way to access whether a foreign national seeking entry into the United States has an “intent to commit criminal r terrorist acts after entering the United States.”

   3. Suspension of the Refugee Program for Four (4) Months

Awaiting the addition of new screening procedures, the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) has been suspended for 120 days.

4.      Indefinite Suspension of Refugees from Syria

The executive order suspends indefinitely entry into the United States by Syrian refugees, until such times when there have been “sufficient changes have been made to the USRAP to ensure that admission of Syrian refugees is consistent with the national interest.”

5.      Prioritization of Refugee Claims of Persecuted Religious Minorities

After the 120-day suspension period of the USRAP, the State Department is to prioritize refugee claims of foreign nationals of religious-based prosecution, as far as the foreign national’s religion is a minority religion in the foreign national’s country of nationality.

6.      Capping the Number of Refugees Admitted Into theUnited States for the Fiscal Year Of 2017

The number of refugees that will be admitted into the 2017 fiscal year has been limited to 50,000 total from all countries.

7.      Allowing entry of refugees into the United States on a case-by-case basis

After the temporary suspension period, the Secretaries of State in conjunction with Homeland Security will decide which refugees are admitted into the United States on a case-by-case basis.

8.      Allowing State and Local Jurisdictions to Have More Say in Refugee Policy

To the degree “as permitted by law and as practical”, state and local governments are to be allowed roles in deciding the placement of refugees eligible to be admitted into their jurisdiction.

9.      Creating a Database Where Particular Activities of Visa Holders Can Be Reported

The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Attorney General, is obligated to collect and provide to the public, every 180 days, information pertaining to:

A- The count and types of acts of gender-based violence against women including honor killings
B- The number of foreign nationals in the U.S. radicalized after entry into the United States,
C- The number of foreign nationals charged with, deported because of, and/ or convicted of terrorism-related offenses while in the United States,
D- All other information that is significant to national security and public safety, including the commission of major crimes.

10.  Several Miscellaneous Policy Changes

These policies include :

1- The cancellation of the Visa Interview Waiver Program. all foreign nationals seeking entry into the United States via a nonimmigrant visa are to undergo in-person interviews,
2- The expansion of the Consular Fellows Program,
3- The revision of the Visa Validation Reciprocity, and
4- The provision of a report estimating the long-term costs of the USRAP from local levels to federal level.

FAQs concerning the Executive Order on Immigrants and Refugees by President Trump :

Does the executive order ban lawful permanent residents (green-card holders)?

No, the executive order does not. On Saturday 28^th January, an official of the DHS said foreign nationals with green cards were included in President Trump’s executive order. However, on Sun 29^th January, the Secretary of Homeland Security, John Kelly clarified this misunderstanding by issuing a statement, “In applying the provisions of the president’s executive order, I hereby deem the entry of lawful permanent residents to be in the national interest.”

Does this executive order ban Muslims from entering the U.S.?

No, the executive order does not. According to a statement by President Trump, “To be clear, this is not a Muslim ban, as the media is falsely reporting. This is not about religion—this is about terror and keeping our country safe.” Muslims from Pakistan and other countries with a Muslim majority are not banned from entering the United States nor will they be subjected to extreme vetting. However, it remains to be seen if Muslims from other countries are subject to extreme Vetting as the President has in the past expressed an opinion that all Muslims should be subject to extreme vetting.

Does the executive order affect permanent residents who have committed petty offenses?

No, it does not. Since the release of the executive order by President Trump, many permanent residents are wary of traveling outside the United States especially those who have been charged with petty offences in the past. The executive order does not include statements that would otherwise affect the reentry of all lawful permanent residents into the United States.

In what circumstances can a permanent resident be inadmissible?

The executive order signed by President Trump does not deny permanent residents entry into the United States including foreign nationals of the 7 barred countries. However, existing laws can still cause permanent residents to become inadmissible. Permanent residents who can become inadmissible include but not limited to individuals involved in drug abuse and drug traffickers, individuals involved in espionage, individuals involved in prostitution, individuals who have violated immigration laws, individuals with convictions for crimes involving moral turpitude, individuals with multiple criminal convictions, individuals without proper vaccinations, individuals likely to become dependent on need-based government assistance, individuals suspected of having ties to Nazism or neo-Nazism, and, individuals suspected of having ties to terrorism, individuals with communicable diseases like tuberculosis, and individuals with physical or mental disorders that may cause harm to themselves or others.

Full Executive Order Text: President Trump’s Executive Order on Immigrants and Refugees

President Trump signed an executive order on Friday titled “Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States.” Following is the language of that order, as supplied by the White House.

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America, including the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq., and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, and to protect the American people from terrorist attacks by foreign nationals admitted to the United States, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Purpose. The visa-issuance process plays a crucial role in detecting individuals with terrorist ties and stopping them from entering the United States. Perhaps in no instance was that more apparent than the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, when State Department policy prevented consular officers from properly scrutinizing the visa applications of several of the 19 foreign nationals who went on to murder nearly 3,000 Americans. And while the visa-issuance process was reviewed and amended after the September 11 attacks to better detect would-be terrorists from receiving visas, these measures did not stop attacks by foreign nationals who were admitted to the United States.

Numerous foreign-born individuals have been convicted or implicated in terrorism-related crimes since September 11, 2001, including foreign nationals who entered the United States after receiving visitor, student, or employment visas, or who entered through the United States refugee resettlement program. Deteriorating conditions in certain countries due to war, strife, disaster, and civil unrest increase the likelihood that terrorists will use any means possible to enter the United States. The United States must be vigilant during the visa-issuance process to ensure that those approved for admission do not intend to harm Americans and that they have no ties to terrorism.

In order to protect Americans, the United States must ensure that those admitted to this country do not bear hostile attitudes toward it and its founding principles. The United States cannot, and should not, admit those who do not support the Constitution, or those who would place violent ideologies over American law. In addition, the United States should not admit those who engage in acts of bigotry or hatred (including “honor” killings, other forms of violence against women, or the persecution of those who practice religions different from their own) or those who would oppress Americans of any race, gender, or sexual orientation.

Section 2 : Policy. It is the policy of the United States to protect its citizens from foreign nationals who intend to commit terrorist attacks in the United States; and to prevent the admission of foreign nationals who intend to exploit United States immigration laws for malevolent purposes.

Section 3 : . Suspension of Issuance of Visas and Other Immigration Benefits to Nationals of Countries of Particular Concern. (a) The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence, shall immediately conduct a review to determine the information needed from any country to adjudicate any visa, admission, or other benefit under the INA (adjudications) in order to determine that the individual seeking the benefit is who the individual claims to be and is not a security or public-safety threat.

(b) The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence, shall submit to the President a report on the results of the review described in subsection (a) of this section, including the Secretary of Homeland Security’s determination of the information needed for adjudications and a list of countries that do not provide adequate information, within 30 days of the date of this order. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide a copy of the report to the Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence.

(c) To temporarily reduce investigative burdens on relevant agencies during the review period described in subsection (a) of this section, to ensure the proper review and maximum utilization of available resources for the screening of foreign nationals, and to ensure that adequate standards are established to prevent infiltration by foreign terrorists or criminals, pursuant to section 212(f) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1182(f), I hereby proclaim that the immigrant and nonimmigrant entry into the United States of aliens from countries referred to in section 217(a)(12) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1187(a)(12), would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, and I hereby suspend entry into the United States, as immigrants and nonimmigrants, of such persons for 90 days from the date of this order (excluding those foreign nationals traveling on diplomatic visas, North Atlantic Treaty Organization visas, C-2 visas for travel to the United Nations, and G-1, G-2, G-3, and G-4 visas).

(d) Immediately upon receipt of the report described in subsection (b) of this section regarding the information needed for adjudications, the Secretary of State shall request all foreign governments that do not supply such information to start providing such information regarding their nationals within 60 days of notification.

(e) After the 60-day period described in subsection (d) of this section expires, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall submit to the President a list of countries recommended for inclusion on a Presidential proclamation that would prohibit the entry of foreign nationals (excluding those foreign nationals traveling on diplomatic visas, North Atlantic Treaty Organization visas, C-2 visas for travel to the United Nations, and G-1, G-2, G-3, and G-4 visas) from countries that do not provide the information requested pursuant to subsection (d) of this section until compliance occurs.

(f) At any point after submitting the list described in subsection (e) of this section, the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security may submit to the President the names of any additional countries recommended for similar treatment.

(g) Notwithstanding a suspension pursuant to subsection (c) of this section or pursuant to a Presidential proclamation described in subsection (e) of this section, the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security may, on a case-by-case basis, and when in the national interest, issue visas or other immigration benefits to nationals of countries for which visas and benefits are otherwise blocked.

(h) The Secretaries of State and Homeland Security shall submit to the President a joint report on the progress in implementing this orderwithin 30 days of the date of this order, a second report within 60 daysof the date of this order, a third report within 90 days of the date of this order, and a fourth report within 120 days of the date of this order.

Section 4 : . Implementing Uniform Screening Standards for All Immigration Programs. (a) The Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Director of National Intelligence, and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation shall implement a program, as part of the adjudication process for immigration benefits, to identify individuals seeking to enter the United States on a fraudulent basis with the intent to cause harm, or who are at risk of causing harm subsequent to their admission. This program will include the development of a uniform screening standard and procedure, such as in-person interviews; a database of identity documents proffered by applicants to ensure that duplicate documents are not used by multiple applicants; amended application forms that include questions aimed at identifying fraudulent answers and malicious intent; a mechanism to ensure that the applicant is who the applicant claims to be; a process to evaluate the applicant’s likelihood of becoming a positively contributing member of society and the applicant’s ability to make contributions to the national interest; and a mechanism to assess whether or not the applicant has the intent to commit criminal or terrorist acts after entering the United States.

(b) The Secretary of Homeland Security, in conjunction with the Secretary of State, the Director of National Intelligence, and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, shall submit to the President an initial report on the progress of this directive within 60 days of the date of this order, a second report within 100 days of the date of this order, and a third report within 200 days of the date of this order.

Section 5 :  Realignment of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program for Fiscal Year 2017. (a) The Secretary of State shall suspend the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) for 120 days. During the 120-day period, the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Secretary of Homeland Security and in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, shall review the USRAP application and adjudication process to determine what additional procedures should be taken to ensure that those approved for refugee admission do not pose a threat to the security and welfare of the United States, and shall implement such additional procedures. Refugee applicants who are already in the USRAP process may be admitted upon the initiation and completion of these revised procedures. Upon the date that is 120 days after the date of this order, the Secretary of State shall resume USRAP admissions only for nationals of countries for which the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Director of National Intelligence have jointly determined that such additional procedures are adequate to ensure the security and welfare of the United States.

(b) Upon the resumption of USRAP admissions, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, is further directed to make changes, to the extent permitted by law, to prioritize refugee claims made by individuals on the basis of religious-based persecution, provided that the religion of the individual is a minority religion in the individual’s country of nationality. Where necessary and appropriate, the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security shall recommend legislation to the President that would assist with such prioritization.

(c) Pursuant to section 212(f) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1182(f), I hereby proclaim that the entry of nationals of Syria as refugees is detrimental to the interests of the United States and thus suspend any such entry until such time as I have determined that sufficient changes have been made to the USRAP to ensure that admission of Syrian refugees is consistent with the national interest.

(d) Pursuant to section 212(f) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1182(f), I hereby proclaim that the entry of more than 50,000 refugees in fiscal year 2017 would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, and thus suspend any such entry until such time as I determine that additional admissions would be in the national interest.

(e) Notwithstanding the temporary suspension imposed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security may jointly determine to admit individuals to the United States as refugees on a case-by-case basis, in their discretion, but only so long as they determine that the admission of such individuals as refugees is in the national interest — including when the person is a religious minority in his country of nationality facing religious persecution, when admitting the person would enable the United States to conform its conduct to a preexisting international agreement, or when the person is already in transit and denying admission would cause undue hardship — and it would not pose a risk to the security or welfare of the United States.

(f) The Secretary of State shall submit to the President an initial report on the progress of the directive in subsection (b) of this section regarding prioritization of claims made by individuals on the basis of religious-based persecution within 100 days of the date of this order and shall submit a second report within 200 days of the date of this order.

(g) It is the policy of the executive branch that, to the extent permitted by law and as practicable, State and local jurisdictions be granted a role in the process of determining the placement or settlement in their jurisdictions of aliens eligible to be admitted to the United States as refugees. To that end, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall examine existing law to determine the extent to which, consistent with applicable law, State and local jurisdictions may have greater involvement in the process of determining the placement or resettlement of refugees in their jurisdictions, and shall devise a proposal to lawfully promote such involvement.

Section 6 : Rescission of Exercise of Authority Relating to the Terrorism Grounds of Inadmissibility. The Secretaries of State and Homeland Security shall, in consultation with the Attorney General, consider rescinding the exercises of authority in section 212 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1182, relating to the terrorism grounds of inadmissibility, as well as any related implementing memoranda.

Section 7 :  Expedited Completion of the Biometric Entry-Exit Tracking System. (a) The Secretary of Homeland Security shall expedite the completion and implementation of a biometric entry-exit tracking system for all travelers to the United States, as recommended by the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States.

(b) The Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the President periodic reports on the progress of the directive contained in subsection (a) of this section. The initial report shall be submitted within 100 days of the date of this order, a second report shall be submitted within 200 days of the date of this order, and a third report shall be submitted within 365 days of the date of this order. Further, the Secretary shall submit a report every 180 days thereafter until the system is fully deployed and operational.

Section 8 :  Visa Interview Security. (a) The Secretary of State shall immediately suspend the Visa Interview Waiver Program and ensure compliance with section 222 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1222, which requires that all individuals seeking a nonimmigrant visa undergo an in-person interview, subject to specific statutory exceptions.

(b) To the extent permitted by law and subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary of State shall immediately expand the Consular Fellows Program, including by substantially increasing the number of Fellows, lengthening or making permanent the period of service, and making language training at the Foreign Service Institute available to Fellows for assignment to posts outside of their area of core linguistic ability, to ensure that non-immigrant visa-interview wait times are not unduly affected.

Section 9 : . Visa Validity Reciprocity. The Secretary of State shall review all nonimmigrant visa reciprocity agreements to ensure that they are, with respect to each visa classification, truly reciprocal insofar as practicable with respect to validity period and fees, as required by sections 221(c) and 281 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1201(c) and 1351, and other treatment. If a country does not treat United States nationals seeking nonimmigrant visas in a reciprocal manner, the Secretary of State shall adjust the visa validity period, fee schedule, or other treatment to match the treatment of United States nationals by the foreign country, to the extent practicable.

Section 10 : . Transparency and Data Collection. (a) To be more transparent with the American people, and to more effectively implement policies and practices that serve the national interest, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Attorney General, shall, consistent with applicable law and national security, collect and make publicly available within 180 days, and every 180 days thereafter:

(i) information regarding the number of foreign nationals in the United States who have been charged with terrorism-related offenses while in the United States; convicted of terrorism-related offenses while in the United States; or removed from the United States based on terrorism-related activity, affiliation, or material support to a terrorism-related organization, or any other national security reasons since the date of this order or the last reporting period, whichever is later;

(ii) information regarding the number of foreign nationals in the United States who have been radicalized after entry into the United States and engaged in terrorism-related acts, or who have provided material support to terrorism-related organizations in countries that pose a threat to the United States, since the date of this order or the last reporting period, whichever is later; and

(iii) information regarding the number and types of acts of gender-based violence against women, including honor killings, in the United States by foreign nationals, since the date of this order or the last reporting period, whichever is later; and

(iv) any other information relevant to public safety and security as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General, including information on the immigration status of foreign nationals charged with major offenses.

(b) The Secretary of State shall, within one year of the date of this order, provide a report on the estimated long-term costs of the USRAP at the Federal, State, and local levels.

Section 11 :  General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(1) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(2) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

Sources

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9. Image Credits : Reuters.com