Newly appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio wasted no time in implementing President Donald Trump’s policies regarding refugees and visa applications for foreign nationals. In his first official act, Rubio ordered an immediate suspension of all refugee resettlement operations and increased scrutiny for visa applicants from “dangerous regions.”
Rubio, a former U.S. senator from Florida, cited Trump’s executive orders as his authority for these actions. Among the over 100 orders, one called for “Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program” and another aimed at “[Protecting] the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.” The latter order emphasizes enhanced vetting for foreigners, particularly from regions identified as security risks.
Under the new policies, the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) has been suspended, with exceptions made on a case-by-case basis by the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security, if determined to be in the national interest and not posing a security threat.
In remarks to staffers, Rubio stressed that while changes would come, they were not intended to be punitive. He emphasized the need for the State Department to adapt and move quickly in the face of rapidly changing global dynamics. Rubio also highlighted the importance of long-term thinking, as many of the challenges facing the world today have no historical precedent.
Uncontrolled immigration and “open borders” were central issues in Trump’s campaign, and in his inaugural address, he vowed to declare a national emergency at the southern border, end illegal entry, reinstate the “Remain in Mexico” policy, and send troops to the border to address the ongoing crisis.
Rubio’s first international trip as Secretary of State is expected to take him to Panama, with details still being finalized. Trump had previously claimed that China had effectively gained control of the Panama Canal, a U.S.-built strategic waterway, and vowed to take it back if necessary.
