Written answers

Thursday, 9 February 2017

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Immigration Controls

Photo of Seán CroweSeán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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151. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if during his visit to the USA he raised the recent immigration regulation changes regarding the banning of citizens from seven Muslim majority countries from entering the USA; if he criticised the proposal; the details of the meetings he had; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6526/17]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Regarding the Executive Order signed by President Trump on 27 January, 2017, and as made clear in my statement on 29 January, I fully share the concerns expressed by other EU partners regarding this development. I have noted the clarification issued by the Embassy of the United States in Dublin on 31 January, 2017, to the effect that the Executive Order in question does not restrict the travel of dual nationals to the United States, so long as they hold the passport of an unrestricted country and possess a valid US visa, if required. In recent days, the US courts have intervened and imposed a temporary suspension on the implementation of the Executive Order.

Issues regarding the recent Executive Order and immigration reform were high on the agenda for my visit to Washington DC from 31 January to 2 February. I had a number of engagements with the Administration and Congressional leaders, including the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, the House majority leader and the House minority leader, among others.

In my meetings with Congressional leaders, as well as with the US National Security Advisor, General Flynn, I expressed Ireland’s deep concerns with regard to the nature and impact of the recent Executive Order. In response, General Flynn outlined to me the rationale - in terms of US immigration policy - for these temporary measures, while I pointed out their damaging consequences in humanitarian terms, as well as for the international reputation of the United States.

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