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Stefanik opposes Trump’s immigration order

U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro (Photo provided)

North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has come out against President Donald Trump’s executive order to ban immigration from seven Muslim-predominate countries.

Trump’s order severely restricts immigration from Iraq, Iran, Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Libya and Yemen, suspends all refugee admission for 120 days and bans all Syrian refugees indefinitely.

In a statement posted on Facebook Sunday, Stefanik, R-Willsboro, called the order “rushed and overly broad.”

She said it is Congress’ role to write immigration laws.

“Our first role as the federal government is to protect our national security, and I believe we need to work in Congress to reform and strengthen our visa vetting process,” her statement said.

“I strongly urge the president to work with Congress moving forward as we reform our immigration system to strengthen our homeland security.”

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Stefanik said she advocates for Iraqis and Afghans who have served side by side as U.S. allies to be prioritized for visas.

The president’s executive order sparked widespread opposition over the weekend, with protests at airports across the United States.

Stefanik’s statement on Facebook had drawn more than 400 comments as of Sunday night.

The comments included many messages of thanks, as well as criticisms saying she should have spoken out more strongly.

Stefanik, 32, is one of few Republicans in Congress to speak against the president’s executive order.

Her spokesman, Tom Flanagan, did not offer any further explanation of Stefanik’s statement.

(Editor’s note: Four daily newspapers in the North Country — the Enterprise, Post-Star of Glens Falls, Watertown Daily Times and Press-Republican of Plattsburgh — are sharing content to better cover New York’s 21st Congressional District.)

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