Politics

DHS: Trump’s Executive Order Is ‘First Step In Reestablishing Control Over America’s Borders’

REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Alex Pfeiffer White House Correspondent
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The Department of Homeland Security is standing behind President Donald Trump’s executive order limiting immigration from several Muslim-majority nations.

The DHS said in a statement Sunday that they will comply with the court rulings which protected certain travelers from deportation. The agency though added, “President Trump’s Executive Orders remain in place—prohibited travel will remain prohibited, and the U.S. government retains its right to revoke visas at any time if required for national security or public safety.”

“President Trump’s Executive Order affects a minor portion of international travelers, and is a first step towards reestablishing control over America’s borders and national security,” the statement said.

The DHS went on to say that “no foreign national in a foreign land, without ties to the United States, has any unfettered right to demand entry into the United States or to demand immigration benefits in the United States.”

President Trump’s executive order barring refugee entry for 120 days and temporarily banning residents of several Muslim-majority countries from entry into the U.S. was interpreted to include green card holders, or permanent residents. White House chief of staff Reince Preibus walked this back Sunday and said that green card holders will be allowed to enter the U.S., before adding that immigration officials have “discretionary authority” to detain suspicious travelers.