Schneider Calls Trump's Executive Order on Immigration 'Disgraceful'

DEERFIELD, IL - United States Congressman Brad Schneider, a Democrat from Deerfield, called President Donald Trump's executive order that introduces new vetting measures intended to keep radical Islamic terrorists out of the country "a disgraceful and callous attempt" to ban members of one religion by "instituting a de facto religious test for entry."

Details on the order were not immediately available, but media reports from recent days suggested that issuance of U.S. visas to countries that have a Muslim majority, such as Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, would be banned for 30 days.

"This discriminatory order does nothing to target the root causes of terrorism, does not make our country safer, and undermines the very values that define our nation," said Schneider, who is in his second non-consecutive term representing Illinois' 10th congressional district. “We are a nation founded by immigrants and refugees who were fleeing oppression and often fearful for their lives. We cannot allow fear to overwhelm our ideals and close the door on the next generation of Americans seeking refuge from war, violence, and oppression.”

READ MORE: Trump Signs Executive Order Introducing 'New Vetting Measures'