Foreign Policy

Exception In Immigration Ban Lets Hundreds Of Refugees Into The US

Nearly 900 refugees who were traveling to the U.S. as President Trump signed an immigration ban will still be allowed in.

Exception In Immigration Ban Lets Hundreds Of Refugees Into The US
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Article by Grant Suneson
SMS
January 31, 2017

President Trump's executive order barring immigrants from seven Muslim-majority nations isn't as ironclad as previously thought.

The Department of Homeland Security will admit 872 refugees into the country this week thanks to an exception in the order.

Countries With Trump Business Interests Spared From Immigration Ban

Countries With Trump Business Interests Spared From Immigration Ban

Middle Eastern countries where Trump has done business weren't included in his refugee and visa ban.

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The order says refugees who were already in transit can be admitted into the U.S. if being forced to return would cause them "undue hardship."

The rollout of the executive order was marked by confusion about the rules and widespread outrage. Most recently, acting Attorney General Sally Yates was fired after she refused to enforce the rule.

Federal judges have stayed certain parts of the order that led to permanent residents being detained at airports for hours. Several legal challenges to the order are still pending.