Sanders suggests visa lottery program lacks thorough vetting

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders suggested Wednesday that there’s no vetting system for immigrants entering the U.S. through the diversity visa lottery program despite such a system existing.

Sanders told reporters Wednesday that “all I know is you can’t randomly select people without thorough vetting.” 

{mosads}

“It’s the lowest level of criteria that any part of our immigration system has, is through the lottery system,” Sanders said. “So to try and argue this is a system that thoroughly vets people shows a total lack of understanding for what this process is.”

However, the lottery requires applicants meet “simple but strict eligibility requirements” to receive a visa.

“The DS-260, Online Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application, electronically, and the consular officer, in person, will ask you questions about your eligibility to immigrate under U.S. law. These questions include criminal and security related topics,” a form about the lottery reads.

The lottery has drawn scrutiny after the suspect in a deadly terror attack in New York City was revealed to have entered the country through the program.

Trump attacked the lottery on Twitter Wednesday, the morning after the attack.

“The terrorist came into our country through what is called the “Diversity Visa Lottery Program,” a Chuck Schumer beauty. I want merit based,” Trump tweeted.

“We are fighting hard for Merit Based immigration, no more Democrat Lottery Systems. We must get MUCH tougher (and smarter),” he later tweeted. 

The terrorist came into our country through what is called the “Diversity Visa Lottery Program,” a Chuck Schumer beauty. I want merit based.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 1, 2017 

We are fighting hard for Merit Based immigration, no more Democrat Lottery Systems. We must get MUCH tougher (and smarter). @foxandfriends

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 1, 2017