U.S. resumes admissions with new screening rules

WASHINGTON — President Trump’s four-month worldwide ban on refugees ended Tuesday, officials said, as his administration unveiled tougher new screening procedures.

Under an executive order Trump signed earlier this year, the United States had temporarily halted admissions for refugees from all countries, with some exceptions. Now, Trump is again allowing refugees to be processed for entry into the United States following the expiration of the 120day worldwide ban on such admissions.

But refugees who want to come to the U.S. will be subject to additional screening.

Trump signed an executive order Tuesday directing relevant government agencies to resume refugee processing. The administration says more in-depth review is needed for refugees from 11 countries believed to pose a higher risk to national security. That review period will last 90 days.

Administration officials would not identify the 11 countries, but they say refugee cases from those nations will be judged on a case-by-case basis.

Refugees already face an extensive backlog and waiting periods that can take years. Any additional screening would likely extend the timeline.

Even with the ban lifted, refugee admissions are expected to be far lower than in recent years. Last month, Trump capped refugee admissions at 45,000 for the fiscal year that started Oct. 1, a cut of more than half from the 110,000 limit put in place the year earlier by President Barack Obama. And the actual number admitted this year could be far lower than Trump’s 45,000 cap, which sets a maximum but not a minimum.

In a separate action Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed a case about the refugee ban.