UPPER DELAWARE VALLEY — Members of the house and senate who represent the Upper Delaware Valley in Washington D.C. have responded to the executive order indefinitely banning immigrants from Syria and from six other Muslim-majority countries for at least 90 days.

Congressman John Faso: “After careful review of the recent executive order regarding immigration policy, I believe that the order was neither well drafted nor well implemented. Given recent events both here and abroad, we need to take steps to strengthen our nation’s security; however, this is most effectively pursued through thoughtful and deliberative legislation. While I acknowledge that the president may act in the event of a national security threat or emergency situation, this process was rushed and led to confusion. There is no doubt that we need to thoroughly vet people coming from countries where there are strongholds of ISIS and al-Qaida. At the same time, we have to balance our security with the need to respect the rights of US citizens and people who are subject to valid immigration proceedings, including lawful permanent residents.”

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand: “I repeatedly urged the last administration to do more to confront the growing humanitarian crisis in Syria and accept more refugee families. But President Trump’s actions on immigration and refugees fly in the face of our New York values and the foundation on which this country was built. Our diversity is what makes New York strong and our willingness to accept those in need who are fleeing some of the most dangerous and violent places on earth is what the Statue of Liberty represents. Our willingness to take in refugees is not only the right thing to do, but it also helps make our country safer from terrorist threats and shows millions around the globe that America cares for children and families facing strife and persecution. I will continue to stand with immigrant and refugee families and I will fight in the Senate to protect them.”

Senator Chuck Schumer held a news conference on January 29 after meeting with refugee families who had arrived in the United States in recent weeks. According to many news accounts, Schumer choked back tears as he spoke to the media. He said, "This executive order was mean-spirited and un-American and implemented in a way to create chaos and confusion across the country and it will only serve to embolden and inspire those around the globe who will do us harm.”

Senator Bob Casey: “This reported executive action is contrary to our values and our security. If news reports are correct, it will mean turning away children fleeing barrel bombing in Syria, women and girls fleeing human rights violations in Sudan and Somalia, and brave people who risked their lives to work with our troops in Iraq. Preventing these vulnerable people from resettling in the U.S. as refugees does nothing to make our nation safer. Further, lowering the level of overall resettlement will make it harder on our allies who are already absorbing the bulk of the refugees fleeing conflicts around the world. This reported executive action appears to be driven by politics and discrimination, not by recommendations from national security professionals.”

Senator Pat Toomey: “I look forward to learning more about how the administration intends to enforce this executive order, to determine whether it indeed strikes the appropriate balance between defending our nation and maintaining our ability to provide a safe haven for persecuted individuals.”

Congressman Tom Marino has not yet addressed this executive order, but earlier he addressed one that moved forward the process of building a wall on the Mexican border.  Marino said, “President Trump campaigned on securing our border and protecting the American people. Today, he made the first step in upholding that promise. After traveling to the border and hearing from law enforcement officers on the front lines, I am well aware of the problems we face regarding illegal immigration. President Trump’s swift action on this matter could not come soon enough.”