Stephen Lendman

His new executive order, issued Monday, reworked his earlier one - rejected at the federal district and appeals court levels.

How this one fares remains to be seen. It’ll likely be challenged. Like the earlier one, it’s all about politics, unrelated to border control and keeping the nation safe from foreign terrorists - ISIS and others Washington created and supports.

It calls for improved “screening and vetting protocols associated with the visa-issuance process and the” US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).

It suspends for 90 days entry of certain (undefined) aliens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. More on the special case of Iraq below.

It cites authorization under Article II of the Constitution, section 212(f) of the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act, and Title 8 of the US Code, stating:

“Whenever the President finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, he may by proclamation, and for such period as he shall deem necessary, suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or nonimmigrants, or impose on the entry of aliens any restrictions he may deem to be appropriate.”

Jimmy Carter used it in 1979 after the Iranian Revolution to stop its citizens from entering America, along with deporting thousands of its nationals.

Trump authorized the Secretary of State and DHS secretary to grant waivers in cases serving the national interest.

He suspended USRAP for 120 days, pending a review of screening and vetting procedures for refugees.

While claiming his new order avoids discriminating on the basis of religion, he solely targeted selected predominant Muslim countries - mostly ones America lawlessly attacked, in the case of Iran, against a nation it’s been toward for 38 years without justification.

Washington falsely designates Iran a state sponsor of terrorism, despite no credible evidence proving it, plenty suggesting otherwise.

It calls Libya “an active combat zone,” ignoring Washington’s full responsibility, raping the country in 2011, endless chaos and human misery following.

It says parts of Somalia are “terrorist safe havens.” America has been ravaging the country for decades.

It calls (north) Sudan a state sponsor of terrorism because of its sovereign independence, on Washington’s target list for regime change.

Syria is falsely designated a state sponsor of terrorism. After six years of US aggression, its one of its many victimized countries, struggling to end the scourge of US-sponsored aggression.

It says “Yemen is the site of an ongoing conflict between the incumbent government and the Houthi-led opposition,” adding ISIS and al-Qaeda exploit the conflict.

It failed to explain ongoing conflict since March 2015 was orchestrated in Washington, using Riyadh as a proxy force, supporting the illegitimate US-backed regime, Houthi rebels rejecting its rule.

It calls Iraq “a special case,” ISIS controlling parts of the country, armed and otherwise supported by Washington.

“Decisions about issuance of visas or granting admission to Iraqi nationals should be subjected to additional scrutiny to determine if applicants have connections with ISIS or other terrorist organizations, or otherwise pose a risk to either national security or public safety.”

Unlike the other designated countries above, Iraqi nationals will be allowed into America, providing vetting indicates they pose no risk.

Saying “(s)ince 2001, hundreds of persons born abroad have been convicted of terrorism-related crimes in the United States,” failed to explain they were unjustly framed, wrongfully imprisoned for terrorist-related offenses they didn’t commit, Muslims singled out as America’s designated enemy of choice.

I’ve written about scores of innocent victims, mostly Muslims, languishing unjustly in US gulag hell - at home and abroad, including Guantanamo, most of its detainees randomly arrested, handed over to America for bounty, imprisoned despite having committed no crimes, most now freed after enduring a living hell, tortured to unjustly confess guilt so unbearable pain would stop, some murdered by guards.

According to Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway, “(i)f you have travel docs, if you actually have a visa, if you are a legal permanent resident, you are not covered under this particular executive action.”

It’s effective on March 16. In 90 days, DHS will issue new guidelines for travel to America, including restrictions for countries not in compliance.

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Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at http://www.sjlendman.blogspot.com.

Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.
http://prn.fm/show/progressive-radio-news-hour/