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February 5, 2017

The President is turning out to be a man of action and, interestingly enough, unlike many in political office he’s keeping his campaign promises.  One such promise was to put on hold the immigration of potential terrorists into our country.  Last month he ordered a 90-day suspension on immigration from countries of concern and a 120-day suspension of the refugee admissions program while reviews are conducted on how to ensure U.S. citizens are protected.
 
For those of you who haven’t read the executive order here’s its text (in part):

“I hereby proclaim that the immigrant and nonimmigrant entry into the United States of aliens from countries referred to in sec. 217(a)(12) of the INA…, …would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, and I hereby suspend entry into the United States, as immigrants and nonimmigrant, of such persons for 90 days…”  This suspension applies to Iraq and Syria and other countries already identified in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).  For those contending this is a ban on immigration from all Muslim counties or is an attack against a religious group, please note there are forty Muslim countries that are not included.

The executive order goes on to say:  “The Secretary of State shall suspend the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program for 120 days…”   so that a review can be conducted  “… to ensure that those approved for refugee admission do not pose a threat to the security and welfare of the United States…”

Let’s be clear, the President’s actions are not a “ban” on immigration but only a “suspension” until a review of the security concerns can be completed to ensure our national security is not compromised.  Former Governor Huckabee (R-AR) called this a “speed bump” and not a “stop sign.”  His contention is it’s preferable to have  a couple of hundred people inconvenienced at airports than to have thousands of people put into body bags with toe tags – like what happen after the attacks on September 11, 2001.  We agree with the Governor.

Meanwhile, there’s a related issue that is percolating; sanctuary cities.  At the federal and state levels there are moves afoot to shut off funding for jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with the Customs and Immigration Service.  This is not about kicking millions of people out of the country.  It’s about protecting our citizens and addressing the criminal element among us.   Do you remember Kate Steinle who was walking on a pier in San Francisco when an illegal alien who had been deported five times shot her?  San Francisco is a self-proclaimed sanctuary city! 

If jurisdictions across the country decide to follow a course of action that puts their own residents in jeopardy, then there should be a price for such inappropriate policies.  Governor Abbott has called to shut off state funding for cities in Texas that choose to follow similar politically correct policies that put the average citizen at risk.  Both Trump and Abbott are to be applauded for their positions on these issues.

Bill and Mark and John