Pence indicates Trump's immigrant ban could also include Jews, Christians

Conservative Indiana governor says proposed temporary ban on immigrants from areas "compromised by terrorism" would apply to individuals of all religions.

By JULIE STEIGERWALD
Updated: AUGUST 9, 2016 19:21
Mike Pence (photo credit: REUTERS)
Mike Pence
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Jews along with Christians, and not just Muslims, could be prohibited from immigrating to the US under a proposed ban by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, his running mate Mike Pence indicated Monday.
Without specifically mentioning the two religions, the conservative Indiana governor said the proposed temporary ban on immigrants from areas "compromised by terrorism" would apply to individuals of all religions.
Pence made the remarks in response to a question on the Wisconsin-based 'Midday with Charlie Sykes' radio show about the religious affiliation of potential immigrants who would be barred from entering the US under the Trump campaign's suggested plan.
"So there's no longer a temporary proposed ban on Muslims, it would be anyone from those countries including Christians...Jews?" the program's host asked Pence.
The Republican vice presidential hopeful responded by saying a policy that prohibited all individuals from "compromised" territories was, for now, "appropriate."
“I think what you heard in the convention speech from Donald Trump, what we talked about out on the stump is that we would temporarily suspend from countries, or territories if you will — the caliphate obviously of ISIS expands beyond one country — but to say that individuals that come from regions or countries that have been compromised by terrorism, that we would expand that immigration. I think that’s appropriate until we develop a new vetting system," he said on the radio show.
Pence, who initially condemned Trump's controversial stance on banning Muslims, then went on to note his contested decision as Indiana governor to suspended a program allowing Syrian refugees to settle in the Midwestern state.
 
Discussion on the contested ban of Muslims opened with the radio program's host Charlie Sykes asking Pence on his views of "singling out one religion" when he labels himself as an "advocate of religious freedom."
A nation-wide debated erupted over Pence's 2015 so-called 'Religious Freedom Restoration Act' that critics charged would provide legal backing for businesses that refuse services, particularly to people from the LGBT community, based on religious credence.