Trump Establishes National Vetting Center

Trump recently issued a national security memo in which he established a National Vetting Center designed to improve the screening process of immigrants wishing to enter the U.S. The Center will be subject to oversight by a National Vetting Governance Board to enhance border and immigration security. The memo ordered that the Center be finalized within the next six months, despite the fact that no new funding or authority has been designated for the project. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the State Department, the attorney general, and the director of national intelligence are to collaborate in creating the Center. According to DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielson, the purpose of the Center is to keep terrorists, violent criminals, and other dangerous individuals out of the U.S. The Center has grown out of Trump’s desire to implement an extreme vetting plan, which is somewhat linked to his Muslim travel ban, although that issue has remained tied up in the federal court system. It is unclear how the Center will impact immigrants who wish to travel to the U.S., although most expect the Center to focus on visa applications. In order to quell privacy concerns, the Center also will maintain a standing privacy and civil liberties panel, which will provide some oversight for the Center. Trump has established the Center as part of his call for stronger immigration screenings to prevent terrorism, despite the fact that recent terrorist attacks have come from individuals who were born in the U.S. or became extremists while living in the U.S. In his efforts to establish the Center, Trump also has significantly mischaracterized existing vetting procedures in an attempt to win over public support. The establishment of the national vetting center is another step by the Trump administration to reduce the number of immigrants who enter the country, with or without a legal immigration status. In this climate, the risk of detention has become much greater for all undocumented immigrants. At Landerholm Immigration, A.P.C., we are dedicated to protecting the rights of detained noncitizens and working toward their release from detention. We know how to evaluate your case, explore your options, and provide you with the strongest defense against removal possible. Contact your California deportation defense attorneys today and set up an appointment to speak with our legal team.