State Assembly Republican Leader Chad Mayes of Yucca Valley Monday joined several GOP leaders voicing misgivings about President Trump’s executive order temporarily barring refugees from some majority-Muslim countries from entering the country. “Religious liberty is a core value of our nation. My ancestors immigrated to America to flee religious persecution,” Mayes said in a statement. “While bolstering our national security is important, when forced to decide between security and liberty, I will always side with liberty.” Trump’s directives suspended refugee entries for 120 days and barred entry to the U.S. for 90 days for those traveling from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. His executive order has been stayed by various courts. A new executive order is expected soon.
