President Trump said he ordered the Homeland Security Department to ratchet up their “extreme vetting program” following reports that the suspect responsible for the New York City acts of terror on Tuesday is an immigrant.
“I have just ordered Homeland Security to step up our already Extreme Vetting Program. Being politically correct is fine, but not for this,” Trump tweeted.
I have just ordered Homeland Security to step up our already Extreme Vetting Program. Being politically correct is fine, but not for this!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 1, 2017
According to police, a truck plowed down pedestrians Tuesday afternoon, taking the lives of eight people and injuring 12 more. The suspect reportedly yelled “Allahu Akbar,” translating to “God is great” in Arabic, as he drove the truck.
The suspect has been identified as Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov, a 29-year-old man from Tampa, Fla.
Multiple reports said Saipov was an immigrant from Uzbekistan who came to the U.S. in 2010. According to WABC-NY, authorities said Saipov was allowed into the U.S. under the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program. This program has a lottery system for “individuals who are from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States,” according to the Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Trump supports legislation that would end the program.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced in August that the office would begin to require in-person interviews for immigrants applying for a green card.
