After New York Attack, Trump Calls for Ending ‘Diversity Visa Lottery Program’

President Trump said Wednesday he would renew efforts to kill a particular immigration program in the wake of the terrorist attack in New York City.

“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, referring to the Senate Democratic leader who hails from New York.

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Schumer was a member of the House of Representatives in 1990 when the diversity visa program was created, and conservative media outlets have highlighted his role in drafting the legislation at the time.

Trump, who called for “extreme vetting” after the truck attack that left at least eight people dead, said in a follow-up tweet: “We are fighting hard for Merit Based immigration, no more Democrat Lottery Systems. We must get MUCH tougher (and smarter).”

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The suspect, Sayfullo Saipov, came to the United States from Uzbekistan, and media reports suggest he may have arrived through the diversity visa program.

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