LoBiondo Criticizes Implementation Of Immigration Ban

Rep Frank LoBiondo (R-2) once again finds himself on the other side of an issue from President Donald Trump.

On Monday, LoBiondo said that while he recognized the need to strengthen security, he feels the “widespread confusion” caused by the “hasty execution” of Trump’s immigration ban 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.”

Trump signed an executive order on Friday that 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.

LoBionodo’s view fell in line with a statement from Rep Leonard Lance (R-7) on Sunday, in which Lance said the ban seemed “rushed and poorly implemented.”

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.”

“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.”

This wasn’t the first time LoBiondo disagreed with Trump.

During the campaign, LoBiondo said he would not vote for Trump after a tape leaked that documented Trump’s graphically vulgar comments about women.

He said he would instead write in Trump’s running mate and eventual Vice President Mike Pence.
Ultimately, though, LoBiondo voted for Trump.

Patch file photo