• 06 February 2017
Understanding President Trumps Executive Order on Immigration

The ignorance of the American public is evidenced when they listen to the protestors, reporters, and even government officials (e.g., Nancy Pelosi) proclaim their outrage regarding President Trump’s recent Executive Order on Immigration – especially when they choose not to read the text of the actual order. The purpose of the order is to protect the U.S. from terrorism and terrorism-related crimes.

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 espouse violent ideologies over American law. Nor should the United States admit any immigrants, refugees or otherwise, 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.

While the actual text is available at the link in the first paragraph, what follows are brief explanations of several essential components of the order.

1. Suspension of Issuance of Visas and Other Immigration Benefits to Nationals of Countries of Particular Concern.

The order suspends entry into the United States, as immigrants and nonimmigrants, of such persons (persons from seven countries (Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen) for 90 days from the date of the order because the immigrant and nonimmigrant entry into the United States of aliens from those countries could be detrimental to the interests of the United States. The order excludes 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,

2. Implementing Uniform Screening Standards for All Immigration Programs.

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 to identify individuals seeking to enter the United States on a fraudulent basis with the intent to cause harm or who are likely to cause harm subsequent to their admission.

The agencies will develop

  • a uniform screening standard and procedure aimed at identifying fraudulent answers and malicious intent
  • a mechanism to ensure that the applicant is who he or she 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
  • a mechanism to assess if the applicant has the intent to commit criminal or terrorist acts after entering the United States.

3. Realignment of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program for Fiscal Year 2017.

The Secretary of State shall suspend the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) for 120 days.

After that date, 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.

The entry of nationals of Syria as refugees has been deemed to be detrimental to the interests of the United States. Their entrance into the U.S. has been suspended until the President has determined that sufficient changes have been made to the USRAP to ensure that admission of Syrian refugees is consistent with the national interest.

4. Expedited Completion of the Biometric Entry-Exit Tracking System.

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.

5. Visa Interview Security.

The Secretary of State shall immediately suspend the Visa Interview Waiver Program and all individuals seeking a nonimmigrant visa undergo an in-person interview, subject to specific statutory exceptions.

This applies to all applicants for all visa classifications from all nations.

6. 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. 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.

 

We encourage you to read the complete content of the Executive Order. If, after having done so, you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.