ADMINISTRATION TO ALLOW IN 872 REFUGEES

1,060 green- card holders get waivers

The Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday it will allow 872 refugees to enter the country after they were initially barred from flying to the U. S. under President Trump’s executive order on immigration.

Homeland Security began detaining immigrants who arrived at U. S. airports immediately after Trump signed his order Friday evening. The order temporarily suspended the U. S. refugee program and barred entry to most people coming from seven majority- Muslim countries — Libya, Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Syria, Sudan and Yemen.

By Saturday, the Department of Homeland Security ( DHS) said it was detaining 109 people. DHS officials say they were cleared by Sunday night. But civil rights groups and immigration advocates say people still were in custody at airports through Monday.

On Tuesday, Kevin McAleenan, acting commissioner of U. S. Customs and Border Protection ( CBP), said more than 500,000 foreigners flew into the country in the 72 hours following Trump’s order. He said CBP agents granted waivers to 1,060 green- card holders from the countries affected.

McAleenan said 75 waivers were granted to other visa holders, including people who had special visas intended for military translators. But he said 721 travelers were stopped from boarding planes headed for the U. S.

McAleenan and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly insisted the department was allowed to review drafts of Trump’s order ahead of time.

Kelly denied reports of “chaos” at U. S. airports, adding that the executive order “is not a ban on Muslims.”