"These additional security measures will make it harder for bad actors to exploit our refugee program, and they will ensure we take a more risk-based approach to protecting the homeland," said Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen M. Nielsen on Jan. 29.
Following a temporary ban on all refugees worldwide, President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. Refugee Admission Program to begin accepting new refugees again in October 2017, with the exception of 11 countries deemed to be high-risk, who would be restricted for a 90-day review period.
Although officials did not release which countries were temporarily prohibited, aid agencies and media outlets have reported them to be Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Mali, North Korea, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Yemen – a list of high-risk countries dating back to the Obama administration.
One of the new security procedures called for by the DHS is "a periodic review and update of the refugee high-risk country list and selection criteria," according to a Jan. 29 press release.
"In 2017, the President directed us to assess the program and make any needed changes. As a result of that review, and in close coordination with the State Department and our intelligence community, we will be rolling out new security measures for applicants from high risk countries which will seek to prevent the program from being exploited by terrorists, criminals and fraudsters," Secretary Nielsen explained at an event at the Woodrow Wilson Center on Jan. 29 before the announcement.
Catholic Relief Services' vice president for government relations and advocacy Bill O'Keefe said that his organization is "pleased to see the Administration is now accepting refugees from countries that were previously banned from entering the United States."