President Donald Trump has issued several Executive Orders and Memos this week regarding immigration – below is our summary of the order regarding “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorists Entry Into the United States”
- Recognizes that the U.S. must be vigilant during the visa-issue process to ensure that those approved for admission do not intend to harm Americans and that they have no ties to terrorism.
- Suspends the entry into the U.S. for 90 days, as immigrants and nonimmigrants, individuals from 7 countries of particular concern: Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
- The entry ban does not apply to Legal Permanent Residents (green card holders)
- The Secretaries of State and Homeland Security have authority, on a case-by-case basis, to admit individuals despite the temporary ban when determined to be in the national interest.
- Mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of State, and the Director of National Intelligence to determine what information is needed to adjudicate immigration benefits applications.
- Draft a list of countries that do not provide the info needed for sufficient vetting.
- Countries have 60 days to produce the needed info or get added to the temporary ban list.
- Implements uniform screening standards for all immigration programs.
- In-person interviews.
- Creating a database of identity documents to ensure that duplicate documents aren’t being used, and to verify existing documents.
- Amend applications to include questions aimed at identifying fraud and malicious intent.
- Create process to identify whether or not an applicant can become a positive contributing member of society.
- Suspends all refugee admissions for 120 days while the process is reviewed for national security weaknesses.
- Indefinite suspension of the Syrian Refugee Program.
- Only 50,000 refugees allowed overall in 2017.
- Refugees fleeing religious persecution may still be admitted on a case-by-case basis.
- Aims to prioritize refugees fleeing religious persecution.
- Expedites completion of the Biometric Entry-Exit Tracking System.
- Suspends the Visa Waiver Program.
- Ensures true visa reciprocity.
- Adjust visa validity periods, fee schedules, etc. to match U.S. national treatment with that of the foreign country in question
- Provide accurate reporting on radicalized immigrants.
- Detail how many foreign born individuals have been charged and/or removed from the country because of terrorism-related convictions
- Detail how many foreign born individuals have been radicalized after entering the U.S. along with how many individuals have committed terrorist acts or provided material support to terrorist organizations
- Detail the number and types of violence against women, or “honor killings” committed in the U.S.
Full text of the Executive Order available here.