Courtney Reacts to Trump Immigration Order

VERNON, CT —U.S, Rep. Joe Courtney on Sunday released an opinion on President Donald Trump’s executive order banning all refugees from around the world for 120 days and blocking entry of all persons from seven predominately Muslim countries.

Courtney said, based on the guidance his office obtained, that order will affect "legal permanent residents and valid non-immigrant visa holders like foreign exchange students at local colleges and universities, and highly skilled workers like the doctors at Eastern Connecticut Health Network and United Community and Family Services, all deemed eligible for residency or legal status under the INA and who have complied with the policies and regulations of the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

“President Trump’s new executive order freezing refugee arrivals and entry of all people from a number of predominately Muslim countries, including law permanent residents of the United States traveling abroad, will boomerang against us both morally and practically,” Courtney said. “The new President signed the order on Holocaust Remembrance Day, a day when we reflect in part on how our country failed to protect Jewish refugees from Nazi atrocities during World War II. This is not who we are as Americans. We do not discriminate against any religion, and we do not shut our doors to suffering people seeking a better life.

“Given the overwhelming confusion surrounding this precipitous action, as well as the pending court of appeals case, my office is on standby this weekend and going forward in the event that residents or families of the Second District need any assistance with immigration issues.”

Courtney’s said his district office in Norwich is "on standby" in the event "residents of the Second Congressional District need assistance with immigration issues." The office can be reached directly at: 860-886-0139.

Patch file photo