[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 18 (Thursday, February 2, 2017)]
[House]
[Pages H932-H933]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
OPPOSITION TO MUSLIM BAN
(Ms. JAYAPAL asked and was given permission to address the House for
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
Ms. JAYAPAL. Mr. Speaker, I want to just conclude our earlier Special
Order where many of my colleagues spoke out in strong opposition to the
Muslim ban that was just signed by President Trump.
I would like to read a short paragraph from the letter that we have
now
[[Page H933]]
submitted to Secretary Kelly. It has been signed by over 110 of my
colleagues in the House. It requests that we have an immediate
emergency meeting and briefing. I include in the Record the entire
letter, and I will just read a short portion.
``The Executive Order is both controversial and confusing. For
example, the International Rescue Committee called the Order `harmful
and hasty' noting `America has the strongest, most successful
resettlement program in the world.' Over 4,000 academics, including 25
Nobel Laureates, have signed a petition denouncing the Order, writing
`this measure is fatally disruptive to the lives of these immigrants,
their families, and the communities of which they form an integral
part. It is inhumane, ineffective, and un-American.' ''
House of Representatives,
Washington, DC, February 1, 2017.
Hon. John F. Kelly,
Secretary of Homeland Security, Department of Homeland
Security, Washington, DC.
Secretary Kelly: We write to strongly condemn the
President's executive order issued January 27, 2017, titled
``Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry into the
United States,'' and the ensuing actions taken by the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its agencies, in
particular Customs and Border Protection (CBP), to implement
the order, and to request an urgent briefing regarding the
same. We hope you will urge the President to immediately
rescind the Executive Order, which has created profound chaos
and fear among refugees and immigrants who have been admitted
to the United States, as well as their families. As a nation
of immigrants that has been a refuge for people fleeing
persecution from around the world, these actions are contrary
to who we are as a nation.
We understand that you met yesterday at 4:30 PM with Chairs
and Ranking Members of relevant Committees to discuss
``recent executive actions.'' You should understand that such
a time limited meeting with a subset of Members and Senators
in no way obviates the need for the briefing we are
requesting for all Members. Such full Member briefings are a
frequent occurrence on Capitol Hill after important events
such as the issuance of the January 27 Executive Order. They
allow all Members to benefit from the knowledge and
experiences of the executive branch so that we may be well
informed in our legislative and oversight affairs and serve
our constituents best. The full Member briefing regarding the
Executive Order is particularly needed given the unsettling
events of last evening--the abrupt firing of Acting Attorney
General Sally Yates and the termination without explanation
of Daniel Ragsdale as acting Director of Immigration and
Customs Enforcement (ICE). The need to brief the full
Democratic.Caucus is also necessary as we now understand that
guidance concerning the January 27 Executive Order has been
provided to Members of the Republican Conference, but not the
Democratic Caucus. According to yesterday's Washington Post,
``substantive guidance [concerning the Executive Order was
given] to congressional Republicans . . . late Saturday. . .
. In a two-page memo that offered some details on the policy
. . .''.
The Executive Order harms our families, economy, and
national security. Over the weekend, individuals--some of
whom have been lawful permanent residents for decades--were
found stranded outside the United States, leaving families in
turmoil. Technology companies, including industry leaders
like Microsoft, Google, and Apple, report that the Executive
Order could directly impact their employees and hinder their
ability to attract the best talent from around the world. In
addition, the policy reflected in the Executive Order is
counterproductive to our national security. We understand
that scores of American diplomats stationed across the globe
are drafting a formal ``dissent memo'' to register their
objections, stating that the order will ``not achieve its aim
of making our country safer'' and will instead result in a
``drop in international good will towards Americans and a
threat to our economy.'' We need to develop relationships
with Muslim countries and others seeking to combat terrorism.
Unfortunately, the Order alienates many of the groups we need
to have working alongside us.
The Executive Order is both controversial and confusing.
For example, the International Rescue Committee called the
Order ``harmful and hasty'' noting ``America has the
strongest, most successful resettlement program in the
world.'' Over 4,000 academics, including 25 Nobel Laureates,
have signed a petition denouncing the Order, writing ``[t]his
measure is fatally disruptive to the lives of these
immigrants, their families, and the communities of which they
form an integral part. It is inhumane, ineffective, and un-
American.'' The Order has resulted in widespread confusion,
as hundreds of individuals have been improperly detained at
our airports, at least four federal courts have issued stays
concerning the Order, and protests have broken out at
airports and other venues nationwide. At the time this letter
was sent, 16 State Attorneys General have condemned the
Executive Order.
In the interest of exercising proper Congressional
oversight of DHS and CBP and of holding agencies accountable,
we write to urgently request an emergency briefing this week
with you and others at DHS and the Administration concerning
the Executive Order. Among other things, we would like to
receive the following, either at or in advance of the
briefing:
Any DHS guidance, directive, or policy regarding
interpretation and implementation of the Executive Order,
specifically is it pertains to current visa holders seeking
entry into the United States, visa applicants, lawful
permanent residents, dual citizens, and U.S. citizens, as
well as clarification on the status of the individuals from
the seven designated countries in the Order who are applying
for or renewing immigration benefits.
Details on individuals who have been prevented from
entering the country, including the airport at which they
arrived, location of detention, number provided with
interpretation services, number who have been released broken
down by airport, number of individuals who were sent back
broken down by nationality, and a breakdown of the
immigration status of those being detained and those who were
sent back.
The manner in which DHS is complying with the various
court-issued stays of removal, including the number of
individuals who have been provided access to counsel.
What, if, any accommodations are being considered for
interpreters and translators from the seven designated
nations who have worked with our military and intelligence,
as well as notable academics coming to do research in the
U.S.
The manner in which the exceptions to the Executive Order's
application with respect to ``religious minorities'' will be
applied, particularly given Mr. Trump's series of statements
concerning his preference for Christian refugees.
In addition, and among other things, we would like to be
briefed by you on the accuracy of President Trump's assertion
that the Executive Order can be justified because then-
president Obama had ``banned visas for refugees from Iraq for
six months'' in 2011. It is our understanding that in 2011
the Iraqi resettlement program was subject to a simple
reduction for a short time while new security measures were
added, In stark contrast, Mr. Trump's Executive Order calls
for a suspension of all refugees, not just one category, in
addition to suspending the Syrian program indefinitely.
For decades both Democratic and Republican Presidents have
supported granting safe haven to families fleeing
persecution, violence, terror, sexual slavery, and torture.
At a time of unprecedented forced migration across the world,
the need for American leadership in these areas has not
subsided.
Given the urgency, widespread confusion and dangerous
impact of the Executive Order, we would appreciate hearing
from you as quickly as possible so that we may ensure the
briefing occurs by no later than Friday, February 3. The
lives and well-being of many individuals, as well as our
ability to partner with foreign governments to fight
terrorism, depends on it.
Sincerely,
John Conyers, Jr.
Member of Congress.
Zoe Lofgren,
Member of Congress.
Pramila Jayapal,
Member of Congress.
(And an additional 111 Members of Congress.)
____________________