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Colorado Lawmakers React To Trump's Travel Ban Executive Order

DENVER (CBS4) - Lawmakers from Colorado and across the nation have taken to social media to react to President Donald Trump's executive order regarding a travel ban on seven Muslim-majority countries.

"To be clear, this is not a Muslim ban, as the media is falsely reporting," Trump said in a statement sent out by the White House. "This is not about religion -- this is about terror and keeping our country safe."

But others see the action differently. The following are some of the statements made by other lawmakers on social media:

From Sen. Michael Bennet:

Refugee EO will harm our natl security, undermine our values, & marks a significant departure from our history of welcoming those in need.

"The president's executive order on refugees will harm, not enhance, our national security and marks a significant departure from our nation's proud history of welcoming people in need of protection. To halt completely or reshape our refugee program by religious or ethnic preferences betrays the values that have made our country strong.
Refugees are fleeing the same violence and extremism that threaten our nation's security and are more thoroughly vetted than any other group of people entering the United States. In addition, targeting certain religions and groups will undermine our counterterrorism efforts by stoking anti-West sentiment among ISIS followers and other extremists.
Instead, we should focus on addressing the security gaps in the Visa waiver program. We should implement a stronger strategy for countering ISIS propaganda in order to degrade its ability to radicalize and recruit. Finally, we should pass the 2013 immigration reform bill, which included measures to secure our borders and enhance interior enforcement. Addressing these vulnerabilities and investing in smarter security solutions will help make us safer and remain true to our values."

Statement from Senator Cory Gardner: "While I am supportive of strengthening our screening processes and securing our borders, a blanket travel ban goes too far. I also believe that lawful residents of the United States should be permitted to enter the country. I urge the Administration to take the appropriate steps to fix this overly broad executive order."

Rep. Doug Lamborn's statement on the @POTUS Executive Order on refugees & national security: "The safety and security of America is a primary and constitutional function of the federal government. President Trump's recent Executive Order is consistent with H.R.4038, a bipartisan bill that passed the House in the last Congress and called for a temporary half of refugees from nationas torn apart by terrorism until the implementation of increased security and screening measures. By taking steps to temporarily stop refugee admittance from nations that are hotbeds for terrorist activity, the President is taking prudent action to ensure his national security and law enforcement teams have the strategies and systems in place that they will need to protect and defend America.

"While I do not support the broad, misinformed, and inflammatory criticisms of the Executive Order, it is important that the privileges of law-abiding Green Card holders are not abridged. I appreciate the White House Chief of Staff clarifying this point over the weekend.

"Rather than being influenced by one-sided media narratives, it is important to remember that President Obama also implemented temporary refugee and visa restrictions for national security purposes. Now is not a time for division fueled by dishonesty and partisan politics, now is a time for our nation to come together and work diligently to find lasting and sustainable solutions to the national security challenges of the 21st Century."

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Rep. Scott Tipton Responds to President's Executive Order on Immigration: "I support strong security vetting for anyone who wishes to enter the United States, regardless of their faith, so a temporary halt on accepting new immigrants and refugees from certain countries that are known hotbeds for terrorism while we strengthen our screening procedures is a reasonable action. However, I am concerned about the impact that the President's executive order is having on individuals who have visas or green cards. Individuals who have already been vetted and granted visas or permanent resident status should not be impacted by the executive order, and putting them under the umbrella of this order's reach no matter where they come from will further damage an already-flawed immigration system.

"Last year, top national security advisers under the Obama Administration told Congress that they do not have the ability to verify the identities of refugees fleeing Syria for the United States. Until we have this ability, I do not think it is unreasonable to halt resettlement, however, the executive order needs to be clarified, as its impacts on law abiding visa and green card holders are unacceptable. We are a compassionate nation that continues to be built by immigrants, but unfortunately bad actors try to use our compassion to do harm. Government's priority must be to keep Americans safe, and I believe that can be done while still maintaining a generous immigration system that ensures those who wish to harm Americans do not slip through the cracks."

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Rep. Ken Buck released this statement on Monday "Our country has always offered hope for the oppressed and homeless, but hope also requires safety and security. We should not let people into this country unless we can thoroughly vet them. America welcomes Muslims from 190 countries and temporarily bans all individuals from 7 countries. The President's executive order is a temporary effort that addresses a serious issue with terrorist hot spots."

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