WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s 120-day worldwide ban on refugees entering the United States is ending as his administration prepares to unveil new screening procedures.
A State Department official says the refugee suspension ended Tuesday, the date set in Trump’s executive order. The Homeland Security Department, the State Department and other U.S. agencies have been reviewing the screening process for those seeking to enter the country as refugees, in line with Trump’s “extreme vetting” policy for immigrants.
The official says new steps to “further intensify” screening procedures will be announced shortly. The official wasn’t authorized to comment by name and requested anonymity.
The refugee restrictions were in addition to Trump’s broader “travel ban” on all immigrants from several countries. Courts have repeatedly blocked that policy.