A temporary time-out in refugee admissions will allow time for the new administration’s intelligence leaders to review and enhance vetting procedures. Doing so will save American lives.

—Dan Stein, President of FAIR

(January 27, 2017 - Washington, D.C.) - The following statement was issued by Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) President Dan Stein in response to President Trump’s new executive order that will temporarily halt refugee admissions until the nation’s national security experts can certify that proper and effective screening procedures are in place.

“A temporary time-out in refugee admissions will allow time for the new administration’s intelligence leaders to review and enhance vetting procedures. Doing so will save American lives. ISIS has made it crystal clear that it intends to use the refugee flow to infiltrate the West, including the U.S., and these actions will hopefully stymie those plans and protect Americans from future attacks.

“By suspending the issuance of visas and other immigration benefits to nationals of countries that are hotbeds of terrorism, the administration is reducing the overall risk profile of the refugee program, and demonstrating its strong commitment to placing the interests and safety of Americans first. The administration also recognizes that far more can be done with available resources when refugees are given assistance closer to home.

“Today’s actions by President Trump recognize that there are dangerous gaps in the vetting process that pose significant and unnecessary risk to the security of the nation. In taking these steps he is acting within his authority to protect the security and interests of the nation and the American people.”