WASHINGTON - Officials at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security say 872 refugees will be given waivers to come to the U.S. despite the recent ban on migrants from pre-dominantly Muslim countries in Africa and the Middle East.
Officials say the waivers will be for refugees prepared for travel and who would be subjected to "undue hardship" if their travel was interrupted.
The effort is being conducted along with the State Department and waivers will be processed by the end of this week.
DHS Secretary John Kelly says he was aware the travel ban was coming.
He says that despite the criticism of being discriminatory, it is in the country's best interest.
"This is not, I repeat, not a ban on Muslims. The Homeland Security mission is to safeguard the American people, our homeland, our values, and religious liberty is one of our most fundamental and treasured value," Kelly said.
DHS says it has already processed wavers for 1.060 lawful permanent residents and another 75 to immigrant visa and non-immigrant visa holders.