White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer and President Trump say that only 109 people were detained during the first 24 hours of the implementation of his travel ban. But how accurate is this number?
Angry Democrats in Congress, citing damage to business and violations of human rights, have demanded that Department of Homeland Security Sec. John Kelly meet and account for President Trump’s controversial Executive Order on immigration.
A trio of House Judiciary Committee members, including Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., have asked Kelly for an emergency briefing on the order, as well as whether the Trump administration will obey federal judges’ ruling temporarily blocking the order.
The lawmakers’ letter to Kelly has now been signed by 101 House members.
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U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal: She is instigator of letter in which 103 House members as Department of Homeland Security Sec. John Kelly to explain the who’s and what’s of President Trump’s immigration order. The letter pointedly asks if the Trump administration will obey stays in enforcement ordered by four federal judges. (GRANT HINDSLEY, seattlepi.com)
U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal: She is instigator of letter in which 103 House members as Department of Homeland Security Sec. John Kelly to explain the who’s and what’s of President Trump’s immigration order.
Demonstrators sit down in the concourse and hold a sign that reads “We are America.” More than 1,000 people gather at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Saturday, January 28 to protest President Trump’s immigration ban. Now, 103 U.S. House members are asking Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly for a full briefing on the executive order, and whether the Trump administration will obey stays in enforcement issued by federal judges.
Demonstrators sit down in the concourse and hold a sign that reads “We are America.” More than 1,000 people gather at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Saturday, January 28 to protest President Trump’s
Any briefing could put Kelly, a retired Marine general and former head of the U.S. Southern Command — and person of high credibility and expertise — in a delicate position.
It is unclear what the DHS Secretary was told in advance, or what details he was given, about last Friday’s Executive Order by Trump, entitled “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States.”
The House members argued that the sweeping order, with its ban on entry to citizens from seven Muslim nations, is likely to do more harm than good.
“Over the weekend, individuals — some of whom have been lawful permanent residents for decades — were found stranded outside the United States, leaving families in turmoil.
“Technology companies, including industry leaders like Microsoft, Google and Apple, report that the Executive Order could directly impact their employees and hinder their ability to attract the best talent from around the world.”
Nor, the House members argued, has America been made any safer by the scenes at its airports over the weekend.
“We understand that scores of American diplomats stationed across the globe are drafting a formal ‘dissent memo’ to register their objections,” the lawmakers wrote, “stating that the order will ‘not achieve its aim of making our country safer’ and will instead result in a ‘drop in international good will towards Americans and a threat to our economy.'”
Secretary Kelly has reportedly met with chairs and ranking members of relevant committees. House Republicans were given “guidance” about the order in a memo late Saturday.
What the 103 Democrats want is:
–“Any DHS guidance, directive or policy regarding interpretation and implementation of the Executive Order” as pertains to current visa holders seeking entry into the U.S., visa applicants, lawful permanent residents and dual citizens.
–“Details on individuals who have been prevented from entering the country, including the airport at which they arrived, location of detention, number provided with interpretation services” as well as those released and those sent back.
–“The manner in Betpas which the Department of Homeland Security is complying with the various court-issued stays of removal, including the number of individuals who have been provided access to counsel.”
–“The manner in which the exceptions to the Executive Order’s application with respect to ‘religious minorities’ will be applied, particularly given Mr. Trump’s series of statements concerning his preference for Christian refugees..”
The letter concludes by nothing that for decades, both Democratic and Republican presidents have backed granting safe haven to families fleeing persecution, violence, terror sexual slavery and torture.
Until now.
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