Rebecca Gardner: Rights Groups and Australia Expense

rebecca gardner: Such an agreement struck with the Obama administration could be opposed by President-elect Donald Trump, who has called for a moratorium or tight restrictions on Muslim immigration, according to The Chronicle Herald. Most of the asylum seekers are Muslims from the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The U.S. had agreed to accept up to 1,800 refugees held for up to three years at Australia expense in camps on the impoverished island nations of Nauru and Papua New Guinea, The Australian newspaper reported. The agreement could empty the camps that have been condemned by human rights groups as a cruel abrogation of Australia responsibilities as a signatory to the United Nations Refugee Convention. Rebecca Gardner, spokeswoman for the U.S. Embassy in Australia, would not comment on the newspaper report, saying the State Department did not comment on or discuss diplomatic negotiations. Prime Minster Malcolm Turnbull declined to comment on negotiations with the United States. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.