The Obama administration announced Wednesday that it would ease restrictions on asylum seekers with loose connections or incidental ties to terror, Fox News reports.
The United States will now consider for entry individuals who provided "limited material support" to terror groups.
The change would apply to people the U.S. government does not consider a threat but could nevertheless be tied to terror groups, and therefore barred from entry. A Department of Homeland Security official said these individuals have been "adversely affected by the broad terrorism bars of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)." […]
Supporters of the change, including Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., argued that the current ban on anyone who has ever aided terrorists has unfairly blocked thousands of refugees.
Critics say the change raises serious security concerns.