President Trump’s recent EOs ban travelers from six Muslim-majority countries for 90 days; suspend refugee resettlement for 120 days; and reduce the number of refugees entering the United States from 110,000 to 50,000, a historic low.
Effects:
By barring individuals from Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, the executive orders to date remain largely a Muslim ban. Banning refugees from all countries for 120 days will grind processing to a halt, notwithstanding the fact those seeking resettlement in the U.S. are known to be the most thoroughly vetted persons seeking asylum today. These individuals have undergone biographic and biometric exams, medical screenings, background checks, and personal interviews with multiple professional evaluators. Any pause causes timed approvals to expire, forcing authorized persons to re-initiate security procedures from the start. In the meantime, the refugees’ safety, as well as their lives, hang in the balance. And the cost to countries manning the evaluation process rises.
The WC Refugee Initiative is committed to assisting refugees already settled in our area. For those persons wishing to voice an opinion regarding refugee arrivals to the U.S., you may do so productively by letting your Senators and Representatives know your thoughts and experiences.
Call (202) 224-3121 to be connected with your one Representative and two Senators (3 calls). For state offices, see http://www.fyi.legis.stat