Dennis Ortega defended Trump’s executive order on immigration with alternative facts (Letters, Feb. 6). Obama did not ban Iraqi immigrants in 2011, but rather subjected them to more extensive vetting which slowed the process. I doubt Obama is the cause of the Syrian refugee crisis which is due more to the brutal civil war as rebels fight the violent, authoritarian actions of President Bashar al-Assad and his allies of Iran and Russia. Syria’s refugee crisis may have been exacerbated by Obama’s not carrying through on his “red line” regarding chemical weapons, but few think we should be engaged militarily in the conflict. Statements by Trump advisors Giuliani, Bannon and Miller prior to the executive order clearly show the intent: a ban on Muslim immigration consistent with campaign promises before the election. Since 1975 there have been no Americans killed on our soil due to terrorist acts by any citizen of these seven nations. The 9/11 terrorist acts were committed by Saudi Arabian and Egyptian citizens, but Trump has business ties in these countries, so they probably escaped the ban.
Gary Kruger, Southwest Portland
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