Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), a member of the National Security Working Group and former Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs, released a statement following the issuance of President Trump’s new travel ban.

"Many of our intelligence professionals and national security experts have said that blanket travel bans, which target individuals by country and religion, will not keep America safe, but President Trump refuses to listen. A Department of Homeland Security assessment, reported on by the Associated Press, found that "country of citizenship is unlikely to be a reliable indicator of potential terrorist activity." When the people who are charged with keeping our nation safe clearly state that a particular policy is ineffective, it makes no sense for the Administration to pursue it. Furthermore, the Trump Administration has not identified what, if any, current defect in our two-year, multi-agency vetting procedures this executive order is designed to fix. Instead of attempting to fulfill a campaign promise to institute a 'Muslim ban,' President Trump should push for full funding of homeland security and law enforcement programs in order to give law enforcement the tools they need to keep America safe. This new travel ban is inconsistent with our values and won't keep America safe."

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