New York shooting: Suspect entered US via diversity visa program
The Department of Homeland Security says the suspect in the New York City truck attack entered the United States in 2010 under the diversity visa program.
Published: 01st November 2017 10:55 PM | Last Updated: 01st November 2017 10:55 PM | A+A A-
This undated photo provided by St. Charles County Department of Corrections via KMOV shows the Sayfullo Saipov. (Photo | AP)
WASHINGTON: The Latest on President Donald Trump and immigration (all times local):
12:50 p.m.
The Department of Homeland Security says the suspect in the New York City truck attack entered the United States in 2010 under the diversity visa program.
Homeland Security officials are confirming that the immigrant from Uzbekistan arrived in the U.S. that way.
That's the immigration program that President Donald Trump is calling on Congress to eliminate "as soon as possible." The president says the program is "not good," and says the U.S. needs to "get much tougher."
The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program covers immigrants from countries with low rates of immigration to the U.S.
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12:49 p.m.
Senate Republicans are coming to Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer's defense after President Donald Trump blamed him for the deadly New York attack.
Trump tweeted that Democrats and Schumer were responsible for a diversity immigrant visa program he says was used by the alleged attacker to enter the United States. He arrived legally in 2010.
Schumer was part of a group of Republicans and Democrats who backed a comprehensive immigration bill in 2013 to end the program as part of a broader bipartisan bill to overhaul U.S. immigration laws.
GOP Sen. John McCain was part of that group. He said the bill would have eliminated the program and replaced it with a merit-based system.
Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker said of Trump criticism: "Probably not the best way to bring out the best in our country."
North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis said of Trump's hit on Schumer: "It's not something I would do. We've all got different styles. It's not the way I would handle it."
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12:30 p.m.
President Donald Trump says he will consider sending the suspected New York City truck attacker to the prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Responding to a shouted question from a reporter at a Cabinet meeting, Trump says, "I would certainly consider that. Send him to Gitmo."
Trump's comments come after Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., called on the president to treat the alleged attacker as an enemy combatant. The suspect is currently in custody in New York City, but according to officials has not yet been formally charged.
Eight people died and at least 11 were seriously injured in the Tuesday attack.
