Obama eases immigration rule in US for terrorist supporters

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The Obama administration has eased the rules for would-be asylum-seekers, refugees and others who hope to come to the US or stay here and who gave "limited" support to terrorists or terrorist groups.

The change is one of President Barack Obama's first actions on immigration since he pledged during his state of the Union address to use more executive directives.  The department of homeland security and the state department now say that people considered to have provided "limited material support" to terrorists or terrorist groups are no longer automatically barred from the US.

A post-September 11 provision in immigrant law, known as terrorism related inadmissibility grounds, had affected anyone considered to have given support. With little exception, the provision has been applied rigidly to those trying to enter the US and those already here but wanting to change their immigration status.

The homeland security department said in a statement that the rule change, which was announced last week and not made in concert with the Congress, gives the government more discretion, but won't open the country to terrorists or their sympathizers. People seeking refugee status, asylum and visas, including those already in the United States, still will be checked to make sure they don't pose a threat to national security or public safety, the department said.

In the past, the provision has been criticised for allowing few exemptions beyond providing medical care or acting under duress. The change now allows officials to consider whether the support was not only limited but potentially part of "routine commercial transactions or routine social transactions."

The change doesn't specifically address "freedom fighters" who may have fought against a government, including members of rebel groups who have led revolts in Arab Spring uprisings.

In late 2011, Citizenship and Immigration Services said about 4,400 affected cases were on hold as the government reviewed possible exemptions to the rule. It's unclear how many of those cases are still pending. Senator Patrick Leahy, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the rule change will help people he described as deserving refugees and asylum-seekers.

"The existing interpretation was so broad as to be unworkable," Leahy said in a statement. He said the previous rule barred applicants for reasons "that no rational person would consider."

Republican lawmakers argued that the administration is relaxing rules designed by the Congress to protect the country from terrorists.