Unfortunately, the Order alienates many of the groups we need
to have working alongside us. The Executive Order is both controversial and confusing. For example, the International Rescue Committee called the
Order ``harmful and hasty'' noting ``America has the
strongest, most successful resettlement program in the
world.'' Over 4,000 academics, including 25 Nobel Laureates,
have signed a petition denouncing the Order, writing ``[t]his
measure is fatally disruptive to the lives of these
immigrants, their families, and the communities of which they
form an integral part. It is inhumane, ineffective, and un-
American.'' The Order has resulted in widespread confusion,
as hundreds of individuals have been improperly detained at
our airports, at least four federal courts have issued stays
concerning the Order, and protests have broken out at
airports and other venues nationwide. At the time this letter
was sent, 16 State Attorneys General have condemned the
Executive Order. In the interest of exercising proper Congressional
oversight of DHS and CBP and of holding agencies accountable,
we write to urgently request an emergency briefing this week
with you and others at DHS and the Administration concerning
the Executive Order. Among other things, we would like to
receive the following, either at or in advance of the
briefing:
Any DHS guidance, directive, or policy regarding
interpretation and implementation of the Executive Order,
specifically is it pertains to current visa holders seeking
entry into the United States, visa applicants, lawful
permanent residents, dual citizens, and U.S. citizens, as
well as clarification on the status of the individuals from
the seven designated countries in the Order who are applying
for or renewing immigration benefits. 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, number who have been released broken
down by airport, number of individuals who were sent back
broken down by nationality, and a breakdown of the
immigration status of those being detained and those who were
sent back. The manner in which DHS is complying with the various
court-issued stays of removal, including the number of
individuals who have been provided access to counsel. What, if, any accommodations are being considered for
interpreters and translators from the seven designated
nations who have worked with our military and intelligence,
as well as notable academics coming to do research in the
Keywords matched
immigration visa immigrants