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Amodei Responds to President's Immigration Executive Order

January 31, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Logan Ramsey, 202-225-6155

WASHINGTON D.C. – Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-02) today released the following statement regarding President Donald Trump's immigration executive order issued on January 27, 2017:

"First of all, I wish to apologize for apparently missing the memo on media-imposed deadlines for Members of Congress to issue statements on executive orders," said Congressman Amodei. "I'll try to do better in the future. However, because I'm a respectful guy, I waited 24 hours after former President Barack Obama issued his statement – apparently his deadline for comment is more flexible.

"I hope the time I took to issue a comprehensive, fact-based response, as opposed to knee-jerk political rhetoric is appreciated by some. After gathering the facts and contacting the Northern Nevada International Center, the Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority, and relevant federal agencies, it is our understanding that no individuals in CD-2 have been impacted by this order. With respect to Southern Nevada, it is our understanding there are three cases, totaling 12 people, affected by this order. These include: a family of five individuals, a family of six individuals – both from Iraq – and one individual from Iran.

"For those angered by this issue, I recommend shifting your anger to Congressional Leadership on both sides of the aisle. It's clearly Congress's job to regulate immigration, and the fact that we haven't, and continue not to – leaves a void. President Obama filled this void during his term, and now President Trump in accordance with his campaign promises is doing so also. As long as this void continues, leaders in the Executive Branch, whether Democrat or Republican, are going to continue issuing executive orders that will upset somebody depending on what side they're on. If this is really about the issue of refugees and immigration reform, opponents should be camping out on leadership's steps, demanding they take action and bring something to the Floor for a vote – instead of allowing these issues to disintegrate further.

"Speaking of votes, take a gander at the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act. This bipartisan legislation overwhelmingly passed out of the House in 2015. It was signed into law by President Obama through its inclusion in the FY16 Omnibus. The countries affected under President Trump's executive order were originally listed in this Act, meaning the President's executive order is built largely off existing law to provide the Department of Homeland Security with the additional time it needs to integrate functioning and effective protocols for visa applicants.

"Our office will continue to focus on solutions to immigration and other issues, rather than opportunities for political pontification. We've checked our District, we've determined potential impacts, if people need help – we're here to assist. We've also checked on the rest of the State to understand what's happening there. If my colleagues in Southern Nevada need help, I'm here for them as well."

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