MacArthur Recognizes Need For Security, Says Immigration Ban Needs To Be Fixed

Although he says it could have been implemented better, Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-3) agrees with President Donald Trump’s efforts to “keep Americans safe” via an immigration ban he signed on Friday.

“Our process for vetting refugees has been dangerously flawed and must be fixed. We must be right every time because our enemies only need for us to be wrong once,” MacArthur said late Monday afternoon. “The President’s first responsibility is to keep Americans safe, and while I believe this could have been implemented better, I applaud him for acting. Our new president deserves the chance to make our country safer and I will work in Congress to help the Administration settle on a long-term fix that protects our people and our values.”

As it stands, the executive order signed by Trump on Friday does three things: suspends all refugee entry for 120 days; indefinitely suspends entry by Syrian refugees; and blocks for 90 days all immigration of citizens of Iraq, Iran, Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Libya and Yemen.

White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, following rulings from federal judges, said the immigration ban would not apply to Green Card holders.

Immigration officials, however, may "prioritize refugee claims made by individuals on the basis of religious-based persecution, provided that the religion of the individual is a minority religion in the individual’s country of nationality."

Critics say this would largely prioritize Christian refugees over Muslims and aid his campaign call for a "complete and total shutdown of Muslims entering the United States."

The order took effect immediately, caught airport customs agencies unprepared and upended plans for many international travelers. It also resulted in protests across the country.

Earlier on Monday, Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-2) said that while he recognized the need to strengthen security, he feels the “widespread confusion” caused by the “hasty execution” of the plan could’ve been avoided.

“The security of our nation and safety of Americans must come first as we combat radical Islamic terrorism,” LoBiondo said. “This is a temporary pause in the refugee resettlement program so that we may strengthen the screening process to prevent Islamic jihadists from coming to our country to attack us. The hasty execution of such efforts have created widespread confusion, frustration and misrepresentation of what America stands for. This was avoidable and I urge the Trump Administration, working with appropriate federal, state and local agencies, to quickly reassess.”

Rep. Leonard Lance (R-7) voiced similar concerns on Sunday, saying the ban seemed “rushed and poorly implemented.”

Patch file photo