NYC
terror attack suspect, Sayfullo Saipov, entered US through Diversity
Visa Program
1
November, 2017
The
alleged ISIS fanatic authorities say was behind Tuesday’s deadly
New York City slaughter came to the United States seven years ago
from Uzbekistan under the Diversity Visa Program, details of Sayfullo
Saipov’s travel to America that could become all the more important
as President Trump proposes revisions to his “extreme vetting”
program.
The
Diversity Visa Program, a State Department program which offers a
lottery for people from countries with few immigrants in America,
drew the ire of Trump early Wednesday morning.
"The
terrorist came into our country through what is called the 'Diversity
Visa Lottery Program,' a Chuck Schumer beauty. I want merit based,"
Trump tweeted. "We are fighting hard for Merit Based
immigration, no more Democrat Lottery Systems. We must get MUCH
tougher (and smarter)."
The terrorist came into our country through what is called the "Diversity Visa Lottery Program," a Chuck Schumer beauty. I want merit based.
We are fighting hard for Merit Based immigration, no more Democrat Lottery Systems. We must get MUCH tougher (and smarter). @foxandfriends
The
DV program makes up to 50,000 immigrant visas available annually,
"drawn from random selection among all entries to individuals
who are from countries with low rates of immigration" to the
U.S., according to the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services website.
Applicants must prove they have a clean criminal record, have a high
school diploma or its equivalent, or have at least two years of work
experience within the past five years in order to qualify.
The
program originated as part of a bill introduced in 1990 by Sen. Chuck
Schumer, D-N.Y., then a member of the House. Schumer’s measure to
make a set number of visas available to “diversity immigrants”
from certain countries was absorbed into a larger House immigration
bill, which was sponsored by Schumer and 31 others, including several
Republicans.
The
House legislation passed in a bipartisan – but contested – vote,
231-192, while the Senate version containing the “diversity
immigrants” part passed more easily, 89-8, and went on to be signed
by then-President George H.W. Bush in 1990.
The
program has been in the crosshairs of Congress several times, most
recently when the Reforming American Immigration for a Strong Economy
(RAISE) Act, sponsored by Senator Tom Cotton, R-Ark., called for its
elimination. The Trump White House came out in support of the bill,
calling the DV program “outdated,” adding that it “serves
questionable economic and humanitarian interests.”
Schumer
responded to Trump's comments early Wednesday, calling on the
president to rescind proposed cuts to "vital anti-terrorism
funding" in his budget.
“I
have always believed and continue to believe that immigration is good
for America," the senator said in a statement. "President
Trump, instead of politicizing and dividing America, which he always
seems to do at times of national tragedy, should be focusing on the
real solution - anti-terrorism funding - which he proposed cutting in
his most recent budget."
On
Tuesday after the attack, Schumer kept his post-attack comments to
praise of the NYPD.
"Thanks
NYPD for rapidly responding to tragic situation downtown. Worried &
saddened to hear about injuries & loss of life," he said on
Twitter.
Saipov
is accused of killing eight people and injuring 11 others when he
drove a rented Home Depot truck down a New York City bike lane,
plowing into pedestrians, before slamming into a school bus.
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