Local University Officials, Lawmakers Criticize Trump's Immigration Order
HARRISBURG, Pa. (KDKA/AP) - Pennsylvania's Republican Sen. Pat Toomey says President Donald Trump's executive order on immigration was too broad and poorly explained.
In his first public comments on it, Toomey on Monday also reserved judgment on whether the order properly balances defending Americans against terrorism and giving safe haven to refugees.
He suggests that'll depend on how the administration enforces it, and says it's fortunate the Trump administration clarified that the order doesn't apply to green-card holders and that exceptions can be granted.
My statement on Executive Order concerning entry of foreign nationals to the U.S.: https://t.co/vp1LzRecll
— Senator Pat Toomey (@SenToomey) January 30, 2017
Senator Bob Casey attended a rally at the Supreme Court Monday night, and posted a video slamming the executive order as "making our country less safe."
Pittsburgh-area education officials are also weighing in on the controversial order.
"Recent actions by the executive branch raise serious questions that go to the heart of Duquesne's core principles and mission, and prompt me to write this letter," Duquesne President Ken Gormley said in a statement."
University of Pittsburgh chancellor Patrick Gallagher said in a statement, "I am deeply troubled by this executive action....Our vibrant community includes students, faculty, visiting scholars, family members, and staff with ties to the countries covered by Friday's executive order."
Carnegie Mellon president Subhra Suresh referenced his own immigrant status, adding, "Tens of thousands of foreign born . . . including many at CMU, do pioneering work at the cutting edge of science, technology, and artistic creativity."
A statement from Pittsburgh Public Schools said they will remain committed to the values and diversity of its students.
"We remain committed to our mission '…to prepare all children to achieve academic excellence and strength of character, so that they have the opportunity to succeed in all aspects of life,' regardless of their immigrant status," said Superintendent Anthony Hamlet. "It is unfortunate that many of our students and families are living with anxiety related to recent action at the federal level. We want them to know they are welcomed in the Pittsburgh Public Schools."
Auditor General Eugene DePasquale said the implementation of the order was so poorly implemented that "it looked like a drunken fantasy football draft party."
(1/2) This order was so poorly implemented by @realDonaldTrump administration, it looked like a drunken fantasy football draft party.
— Aud. Gen. DePasquale (@PAAuditorGen) January 30, 2017
(2/2) The way people have been treated at airports is a travesty of justice.
— Aud. Gen. DePasquale (@PAAuditorGen) January 30, 2017
Democratic Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania criticized Trump's order as contrary to American values and security. He says it appears driven by politics and discrimination, not by recommendations from national security professionals.
Pennsylvania's Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and Democratic Attorney General Josh Shapiro are also heavily critical of Trump's order.
Immigration attorney Kristen Schneck says her line is blowing up.
Telephone lines, Facebook, social media page, as well as email, from both existing clients and new people, as we call them prospectives, who are scared about the situation," Schneck told KDKA political editor Jon Delano.
Schneck, president of the Pittsburgh chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, is not alone.
The key concerns, she says, "How will the refugees who are here be treated? What's going to happen to the people who are in process of coming?"
Congressman Tim Murphy defends the president's action.
"We know that many people who flooded into Europe didn't have documents, had false documents," he said.
But Schneck says that doesn't apply here in America.
"Current process of vetting takes approximately two and a half years," she says.
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