Pres. Donald Trump signed a new executive order today that rescinds his Jan. 27 refugee order reworking several of the original provisions while keeping others intact. The new order, which goes into effect on March 16, will pause the issuance of new visas for six countries identified as hot spots for terror for 90 days, pause the refugee resettlement program for 120 days, and cap overall refugee resettlement for FY2017 at 50,000.
Today's order made the following significant changes from the original order.
- Pauses the admission of visitors who are not green card holders or already have a nonimmigrant visa from six countries -- Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen -- for 90 days. The previous order also included Iraq among the list of countries and covered both green card and nonimmigrant visa holders in the admissions pause.
- Pauses the refugee resettlement program for 120 days. The previous order paused the refugee program for 120 days and paused resettlement of refugees from Syria indefinitely. It also prioritized the resettlement of religious minorities.
- Establishes enhanced security procedures for the admission of Iraqi nationals that includes consultation with the Secretary of Defense to ensure that the individual does not have ties to terrorist groups.
Today's order maintains the following key provisions from the original order.
- Calls on the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Director of National Intelligence to develop an enhanced screening process for all foreign visitors.
- Expedites the completion of the biometric entry-exit system to track foreign visitors and reduce visa overstays.
- Suspends the Visa Interview Waiver Program, requiring all foreign nationals seeking a nonimmigrant visa to undergo an in-person interview.
- Requires the Department of Homeland Security to implement a more transparent, public reporting system that highlights the admissions and presence of individuals who have ties to terrorism.
Read the full executive order here:
