[needz]

I would say that while the statement is false, context is required.

America has historically given priority to immigrants that are victim to religion-based persecution. We are, after all, a nation founded by settlers seeking freedom from religious prosecution from a country in which they were the minority.

[mikeash]

I'd say the context just makes it worse, since it would have been so easy to word it in an unobjectionable way. Give exceptions for people suffering from religious persecution, and you're all set.