The revised order, which Trump signed in an event not open to the press, is go to into effect March 16.
For Columbus, the changes will be acutely felt in the Somali community. Central Ohio is home to the second largest Somali community in the United States. According to the Somali Community Association of Ohio, between 15,000 and 40,000 Somali immigrants and refugees live in the area.
The initial order led to sweeping protests at airports around the country. In Columbus, hundreds descended on John Glenn International Airport in late January to decry the order. But Trump argued that the order was aimed at protecting the United States. In a fact sheet sent to Congress, the administration argued that the order would “ensure that those entering this country will not harm the American people after entering, and that they do not bear malicious intent toward the United States and its people.” They said that the order will protect the United States from countries “compromised by terrorism” and will ensure a more rigorous vetting process.
RELATED: Read the text of the travel order
Iraq, which was on the list of countries under Trump’s first order, was taken off after negotiations between the two countries on the vetting of its citizens.
“The United States has the world’s most generous immigration system, yet it has been repeatedly exploited by terrorists and other malicious actors who seek to do us harm,” the Trump administration wrote, adding that the government will spend the next 90 days conducting “a thorough and comprehensive analysis of the national security risks posed from our immigration system.”
“I thought it was fine the way they did it before, but this is a slight adjustment,” said Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, on the Bob Frantz “The Answer” show on Cleveland radio. “I think it will hold up and let’s move forward.”
Tell us what you think on our Ohio Politics Facebook page
He said he believed the first order was “constitutionally solid,” and “consistent with the statute and something that President Obama and other presidents had done themselves.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called the new order” mean-spirited” and “un-American.”
“A watered down ban is still a ban,” he said. “Despite the administration’s changes, this dangerous executive order makes us less safe, not more.”
White House asks for probe of any possible @RealDonaldTrump investigation by @BarackObama https://t.co/Ma1qvZPdz9 pic.twitter.com/GDZqHicpvR
— Ohio_Politics (@Ohio_Politics) March 5, 2017
Under the guidance provided by the administration, those who have a valid visa as of 5 EST on Jan. 27 will be permitted in. The restrictions won’t apply to lawful permanent residents of the United States; dual nationals when travelling on a passport issued by a non-designated countries; foreign nationals traveling on certain types of Visas and those already granted asylum or refugee status in the United States before the effective date of the order. The initial order had led to confusion from legal residents of the United States who were still worried that the order would mean they would not be able to return.
RELATED: What is an executive order?
The Trump administration also suspended the refugee program for the next 120 days in order to review screening procedures, according to the Trump administration. When it resumes, refugees will be capped at 50,000 for fiscal year 2017, they said. The current cap is 110,000.
The release of the new plans have been marked by delays; Trump had hinted at releasing them last week, but according to reports, delayed that release after his first joint session of Congress went well. Sean Spicer, a Trump spokesman, said many of the delays were aimed at making sure the revised order was thoroughly reviewed.
OTHER POLITICAL NEWS
Ohio House votes to increase driver’s license fees
How Ohio lawmakers voted last week
About the Author