A Republican congressman rejected suggestions on Tuesday that President Trump’s temporary ban on immigration from seven majority-Muslim countries and refugees coming into the United States constitute a “Muslim ban.”
Rep. Chris Collins, R-NY, said on CNN Tuesday that the goal is for the new administration to get “their arms around” how refugees are admitted into the country and strengthen the vetting process.
“It’s just putting America first as we can get the Department of Homeland Security and the other agencies involved, making sure we’re vetting those coming into our country and we know who they are,” Collins said. “It’s not this ban on Muslims they’re trying to make it into.”
Collins said that Trump won’t back down in the face of protests against his executive order and he thinks the ban is the safest move for the country. Trump has faced enormous backlash around the country as thousands took to the streets of major cities and the baggage claim areas of airports to protest the decision.
But Republicans argue that the seven countries hit by the order were identified by President Obama as those prone to breed terrorists.
“We want to know who’s coming into the country,” Collins said. “He’s going to err on the side of safety for Americans.”
He added, “A 120-day pause is not as outrageous as Democrats are saying.”
