House Dems demand meeting with Kelly

Top committee Democrats are demanding a meeting with Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly to discuss President Trump’s executive order on immigration and refugees.

“As ranking members of the committees of jurisdiction for matters of immigration, border security, and admission of refugees, we write to you on an emergency basis to request a meeting to discuss the implementation and guidance concerning the Executive Order,” they wrote in a letter obtained by Politico.

Reps. John Conyers of Michigan, Eliot Engel of New York, Bennie Thompson of Mississippi and Zoe Lofgren of California all signed the letter.

“Only two days after the Order was signed, it is clear that it has already led to panic and disorder, not to mention protests,” they wrote.

The lawmakers want to meet with Kelly by Wednesday.

Earlier Sunday, Kelly declared “the entry of lawful permanent residents to be in the national interest.”

The statement came on the second day of protests against President Trump’s executive order to temporarily halt a federal program admitting refugees, and imposing a 90-day ban on the entry of nationals from seven predominantly Muslim countries.

A federal judge in New York on Saturday night granted an emergency stay, temporarily stopping the removal of people detained following Trump’s order.