872 refugees to be allowed into the U.S. despite Trump's ban

Despite Trump&#039;s ban, some refugees will still be allowed into the U.S.

(Image credit: Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)

published 31 January 2017

In spite of President Trump's executive order temporarily halting America's refugee program, 872 refugees will still arrive in the U.S. this week. Acting commissioner of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency Kevin McAleenan said Tuesday that the U.S. government has granted waivers in cases where refugees "were ready for travel and stopping them would cause 'undue hardship,'" The Associated Press reported.

Reuters noted that refugees "preparing for resettlement typically have severed personal ties and relinquished their possessions, leaving them particularly vulnerable if their plans to depart are suddenly canceled." The 872 refugees to be admitted this week were screened by the Obama administration's process, which lasts an average of two years.