US to take in 872 refugees despite Trump order

The U.S. government has granted waivers that would allow 872 refugees to enter the country this week despite President Trump’s order suspending the program, the Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday.

It’s not clear where the 872 refugees are coming from.

Trump signed an executive order on Friday indefinitely suspending the entry of refugees from Syria and suspending the broader U.S. refugee program for 120 days.

{mosads}The order also blocks all people from seven Muslim-majority nations from entering the United States.

The government will be assessing what steps it needs to take to tighten vetting of refugees in the interim.

Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly tried to downplay the characterization of the order as a “ban” on Tuesday.

“This is not a travel ban,” he told reporters. “This is a temporary pause that allows us to review the refugee and visa vetting system.”

The orders have prompted widespread protest, with some Republicans joining Democrats in criticizing them.