WASHINGTON, DC - The Trump Administration has rolled out the second edition of its immigration executive order this morning, revising some major aspects of the law. The administration's previous immigration order had been blocked by courts shortly after going into effect.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the revised order now prohibits immigration from six specific countries—Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Syria, and Libya. Prior renditions of this order also excluded immigrants from Iraq, but according to NBC News, the country was removed from the list after “an intense review” from the State Department to improve vetting of Iraqi citizens.

The updated order is seen by some as a pivot for the Trump administration, signaling that the President may be more willing to bend on immigration issues that previously believed. For those in the produce industry, this may mean more responsiveness from the administration on these issues, which we are all hoping for.

Effective March 16, the updated version states the following, according to WSJ:

• People who hold current visas are exempt from the restrictions
• Syrian refugees can now only be held for 120 days 
• Existing visas approved before that date will not be revoked
• The ruling does not explicitly apply to current lawful permanent residents and green card holders
• The number of refugees allowed in the country is to be no more than 50,000 in 2017
• There is no longer preference for “religious minorities,” such as Christians fleeing persecution in majority Muslim nations

These revisions come just a few weeks after the administration was challenged in court for several aspects of the law. A three-judge panel from the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously to uphold a federal judge's restraining order on the travel ban in early February, delaying the executive order's implementation.

It does not seem that the current order will have a major impact directly on the produce industry, but AndNowUKnow will continue to update you on the latest.