Trump orders tougher vetting

Attack in NY spurs US President to step up programme

New York: President Donald Trump has ordered the Department of Homeland Security to bolster the vetting of immigrants coming into the United States after an Uzbek man allegedly drove a truck down a bike path in New York, killing eight and injuring almost a dozen more.

“I have just ordered Homeland Security to step up our already Extreme Vetting Program. Being politically correct is fine, but not for this!” the president said in a Twitter post.

It was unclear what specifically Trump was ordering the Department of Homeland Security to do. Officials there referred questions to the White House, which declined to comment beyond a statement issued earlier in the day.

“My Administration will provide its full support to the New York City Police Department, including through a joint investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” the formal statement issued in the president’s name said. “I will contin- ue to follow developments closely.”

The president was briefed on the terror incident by White House chief of staff John Kelly. White House officials did not comment directly on the investigation.

One of Trump’s top domestic priorities has been a crackdown on undocumented immigrants and a strengthening of screening procedures for foreigners seeking to enter the United States.

Trump in March ordered the State, Homeland Security and Justice Departments to conduct a worldwide review of whether foreign nations should be required to provide additional information about people seeking to enter the United States.

He also ordered the agencies to adopt unspecified “enhanced vetting protocols and procedures” for people seeking US visas, in order to prevent terrorists or people supporting them from entering, according to a memorandum describing the plan. — Bloomberg