Trump Blames Schumer For Terror Attack Over 27-Year-Old Immigration Law

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) Image by getty images

By Nathan Guttman November 1, 2017

Less than 24 hours after a deadly terror attack left eight dead in Lower Manhattan, President Trump singled out New York Sen. Chuck Schumer for blame.

“The terrorist came into our country through what is called the ‘Diversity Visa Lottery Program,’ a Chuck Schumer beauty. I want merit based.” Trump tweeted early Wednesday.

The president was referring to a 1990 bill proposed by Schumer, while still in the House of Representatives, establishing a lottery that would provide immigration visas to residents of all countries. The idea later became part of a broader immigration law and since 50,000 Green cards are offered annually through lottery. Terror suspect Sayfullo Saipov entered the U.S. from Uzbekistan through this program.

In another Tweet, Trump quoted a Fox News attack on Schumer: “Senator Chuck Schumer helping to import Europes problems” said Col.Tony Shaffer. We will stop this craziness!”

Schumer responded, stating his continued support for the visa lottery program.

“President Trump, instead of politicizing and dividing America, which he always seems to do at times of national tragedy, should be focusing on the real solution – anti-terrorism funding – which he proposed cutting in his most recent budget,” he said.

Contact Nathan Guttman at [email protected] or on Twitter @nathanguttman

Nathan Guttman, staff writer, was the Forward’s Washington bureau chief. He joined the staff in 2006 after serving for five years as Washington correspondent for the Israeli dailies Haaretz and The Jerusalem Post. In Israel, he was the features editor for Ha’aretz and chief editor of Channel 1 TV evening news. He was born in Canada and grew up in Israel. He is a graduate of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

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