Trump proposes ‘ideological’ test for immigrants

By Esra Kaymak Avci

WASHINGTON (AA) – Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump on Monday proposed an "ideological screening test" for foreign visitors to determine if they shared American values.

"We should only admit into this country those who share our values and respect our people," Trump told an audience at Youngstown State University in Ohio as he indicated his idea was drawn from the country’s not too distant past.

"In the Cold War, we had an ideological screening test. The time is overdue to develop a new screening test for the threats we face today."

He did not clarify what his screening test would look like, but added that not only foreigners who sympathize with terrorist groups would be banned from entering the U.S., but also those who don't believe in the U.S. Constitution or supported bigotry and hatred.

According to The Associated Press, the test would assess an immigration candidate's stances on issues like religious freedom, gender equality and gay rights to see whether they are consistent with U.S. values.

Saying the measure was needed, the billionaire stressed he would establish a clear principle which would govern all decisions related to immigration.

Trump previously proposed a ban on all Muslims entering the U.S. and to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border to prevent illegal immigration.

His comments have raised concerns not only among Democrats but also within the Republicans Party.

Fifty Republicans last week signed a statement that said they would not support Trump because he was placing the U.S. in danger with his statements and questioned his capacity to become America's commander-in-chief.

Meanwhile, Vice President Joe Biden said Trump is "totally, thoroughly unqualified to be president," during a rally Monday for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. It was Biden's first campaign appearance with Clinton.

He said Trump was a clear threat to the U.S. and lacked the necessary foreign policy knowledge to ensure the country's security, evident by calling President Barack Obama the founder of Daesh and increasing the danger for the U.S. "a couple clicks.

"This guy’s shame has no limits," Biden said, while referring to Trump's statements that he would reassess the U.S.'s NATO allies if elected.

Trump suggested Monday that the U.S. would work with its NATO allies "to halt the spread of radical Islam” and all of the alliance’s actions should be focused around that goal. He said any country that shares the goal would be a U.S. ally.

"Some don't share this goal. We cannot always choose our friends but we can never fail to recognize our enemies," he said, adding that the U.S. needed to partner with Israel, Jordan, Egypt and other allies who would join Washington in fighting the ideology of groups like Daesh.