The “close cooperative relationship between the United States and the democratically elected Iraqi government, the strong United States diplomatic presence in Iraq, the significant presence of United States forces in Iraq, and Iraq’s commitment to combat ISIS, justify different treatment for Iraq.”Mr. Trump’s original order blocked Iraqis, too, but his new one left them out. The new order emphasizes that Iraqis who have battled ISIS have “earned enduring respect.” It also says that since the original order, Iraq has undertaken unspecified steps to improve travel documentation and information sharing. It also includes a potentially huge exception for everyone else: consular officials are empowered to permit new applicants to travel immediately on case by case. Syrians are not singled out for a permanent ban, and refugees whose travel has already been approved may still come into the United States without delay. Like the original order, however, the new order caps the number of refugees who may be admitted each year at 50,000, down from 110,000 under President Barack Obama.

Source: New York Times March 07, 2017 00:11 UTC