Tillis, several GOP U.S. reps issue concerns about green-card holders

As expected, responses by state political leaders to President Donald Trump’s recent executive order on refugee resettlements follow partisan lines, varying in their intensity of support or opposition.

Even so, several members of the Republican congressional delegation, including U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, expressed reservations about the order’s effect on legal permanent residents (aka green-card holders) who were detained as they tried to re-enter the United States.

Trump’s order, issued Friday, halts resettlement of refugees into the United States for 120 days, and for 90 days blocks the entry of people from seven nations that are considered Islamic terrorism threats.

Gov. Roy Cooper (D): “The executive order issued by the president will make our homeland and our troops serving overseas less safe. Our vetting process has to be tough and thorough, but we should not impose a religious test to enter the country. It’s especially troubling that individuals who risked their lives to protect our troops and served alongside them are now being turned away. We can secure the safety of our country without separating families, hurting our businesses, and turning away good people who need our help.”

U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield, D-1st: “I condemn in the strongest possible terms President Donald Trump’s executive order.  This order flies in the face of American values and raises serious legal and constitutional implications.

“This executive order was written and signed to incite fear and division among the American people.  It does nothing to improve our national security.  In fact, I believe it endangers American lives by feeding ISIS propaganda that the United States is at war with Islam.

“This order was ill-conceived and implemented in a way that has caused chaos and confusion across the nation. It is clear from the confusion in airports across the country that this executive order was not properly vetted prior to its signing. …

“Today [Monday], I will stand with my colleagues on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court to protest this executive order and call for it to be immediately rescinded. I have also cosponsored legislation that, if enacted, would void the president’s executive order and block funding for its implementation, administration, and enforcement. …

“Our nation is better than this and we will not stand for these types of hateful and discriminatory actions from the White House.”

 U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-5th: “We have always been a country that welcomes immigrants. However, it is also important to remember that national security is the No. 1 job of the federal government. Given shortcomings in the current screening process, I joined a bipartisan House majority in supporting legislation to strengthen the vetting process for individuals seeking entry to the United States through the Visa Waiver Program or as refugees. The Executive Order signed by the president on Friday came with little clarity and caused much uncertainty for foreign travelers. Additional implementing guidance is needed to ensure that the order can be applied in a fair and equitable manner.”

U.S. Rep. David Rouzer, R-7th: “I find it refreshing and encouraging that our new administration is taking extra steps to better ensure the safety of all Americans, just as President Trump promised during the campaign that he would. I agree with every word of President Trump’s statement yesterday, which clarifies the scope and intentions behind these temporary policy changes.”

U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson, R-8th: “At a time of grave security threats, President Trump is right to pause the flow of refugees from countries where terrorism is rampant until we can properly vet them and implement additional screening for individuals traveling to and from these countries. The facts are President Obama’s own intel[ligence] official told us ISIS is trying to infiltrate the refugee program and his Homeland Security Secretary and FBI Director told us we can’t properly vet all of these refugees. I do have concerns that the executive order has caused confusion for those with green cards and will work with my colleagues and the administration to clarify it.”

U.S. Rep. Robert Pittenger, R-9th: “While we should be responsive to those who are persecuted for their faith or impacted by war, we need a thorough vetting of all refugees, consistent with the American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act (H.R. 4038), which I co-sponsored and helped pass with strong bipartisan support in 2015. This bipartisan legislation required the FBI, CIA, and Homeland Security to be engaged in the refugee vetting process to prevent access by infiltrated terrorists.”

U.S. Rep. Alma Adams, D-12th: “President Trump’s executive order to suspend the refugee program for seven predominantly Muslim countries is mean-spirited and inhumane. Signed under the auspice of increased security, this ban will do nothing to improve our safety. If anything, it will only embolden those who seek to do us harm. We have a long and honored tradition of accepting refugees seeking safety after a thorough vetting process, and this tradition should continue.

“Today [Monday], I joined my constituents at Charlotte Douglas International Airport to send a clear message to President Trump that we will not tolerate unconstitutional and ill-conceived orders that endanger the lives of our Muslim brothers and sisters. …

“I applaud [Sunday’s] court decisions that temporarily prohibit the U.S. government from removing lawful permanent residents and nonimmigrants who are returning home to the United States. I expect the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection to fully comply with this ruling.”

U.S. Rep. George Holding, R-13th: “Keeping America safe by temporarily halting the refugee program and properly vetting those coming from terror hot spots was the right decision.”

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R): “America has always been a home for refugees fleeing persecution and seeking freedom, and it should continue to be. It’s why I’ve been an outspoken supporter of programs like the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa program, which allows Afghans who supported America’s mission in Afghanistan to apply for refuge in the United States.

“As we offer safety to refugees, we must also be mindful of the sad reality that radical Islamic terrorists are actively attempting to infiltrate refugee programs to enter Western nations. The FBI director has warned Congress that the United States lacks the capability to properly vet all Syrian refugees. This is a significant vulnerability, and strengthening the screening of refugees is a matter of national security.

“While the executive order does take immediate action aimed at tightening the refugee screening process, there is a lot of confusion surrounding the order, particularly given the instances of green card holders inexplicably being denied entry back into the United States. The order should be refined to provide more clarity and mitigate unintended consequences that do not make our country any safer.”