Donald Trump “Will Do Everything In His Power” To Stop The Australia-US Refugee Resettlement Deal, Says US Congressman

Texas congressman Brian Babin says President-elect Donald Trump will vehemently oppose the refugee resettlement deal between Australia and the US when he officially takes office on January 20.

Mr Babin is confident no resettlements will ever take place in the US, leaving those stranded in detention on Manus Island and Nauru with diminishing hope.

The agreement was struck two months ago between outgoing President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

It has been a slow and lengthy progress. Processing time for applications and lengthy security measures partaken by the US Department of Homeland Security have cast a shadow of doubt over the deal.

The Texas Republican congressman has called the one-off Australian deal “madness”.

.@realDonaldTrump will reportedly try to overturn Australia's refugee deal with the U.S. #9News pic.twitter.com/3uguMgyu6w

— Nine News LA (@9NewsLA) January 8, 2017

Mr Babin is convinced the incoming administration will undoubtedly overturn the agreement. He says Trump will block the planned resettlements on account of “risks to safety and security of America’s citizens”.

“I am confident President-elect Trump will do everything in his power to put an immediate stop to this secret Australian-US refugee deal that should have simply never happened in the first place,” he told FairFax Media.

“This secret deal to import dangerous refugees into the US is exactly what the American people soundly rejected in November with the election of Donald Trump.”

Immigration experts have warned a widespread refugee ban is likely to take place once Mr Trump takes office.

It has been suggested Mr Turnbull should start exploring other options.

#cantstandby #Perth Exponential growth!#CloseTheCamps #BringThemHere pic.twitter.com/uTGWKONfWX

— Susan Newby (@NewbyNewbys) January 7, 2017

Meanwhile, Immigration Minister Peter Dutton is refusing to discuss progress of the deal.

What has been the progress so far?

According to Asylum seeker advocates, US immigration officials were due back on Nauru over the weekend; around 100 people are currently being processed for possible resettlement. It is understood Homeland Security officials are expected in Nauru later in February.

As for those currently detained on Manus, immigration officials will begin visits next month. No list of possible transfers has been prepared.

Photo: Twitter (@RAC)