Protests as Trump signs travel ban
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AMERICAN President Donald Trump signed a revised ban on refugees and on travelers from six Muslim-majority nations on Monday, scaling back the order to exempt Iraqis and permanent United States residents.
With his first attempt frozen by federal courts, Trump signed a second order suspending refugee admissions for 120 days and halting new visas for travelers from Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Yemen and Sudan.
The White House said Trump, who is embroiled in controversy over his aides’ links to Russia and his own Twitter outbursts, signed the order behind closed doors on Monday morning.
The new order comes into effect on March 16 and is meant to address legal problems. It explicitly exempts Iraqis, legal permanent residents and valid visa holders.
“The principles of the executive order remain the same,” said White House spokesman Sean Spicer. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, one of three Cabinet members to present the order in Trump’s absence, described it as “a vital measure” for strengthening national security.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions added that it “provides a needed pause” allowing a review of how America deals with travelers from “countries of concern.”
“Three of these nations are state sponsors of terrorism,” Sessions said, referring to Iran, Sudan and Syria. He added that others had served as “safe havens” for terror operatives.
Critics questioned the composition of the list, which includes citizens from countries that have never been involved in terror attacks in the US. Non-governmental groups accused Trump of covertly pursuing his controversial promise of a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States.”
The question of Trump’s intent is likely to dominate new legal challenges that are already being flagged by organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said the measure should be repealed, adding “a watered down ban is still a ban.”
Dozens of protesters rallied outside the White House on Monday night, holding signs with messages like “Fight ignorance, not immigrants.”
Trump’s first order had sparked a legal, political and logistical furor. There was chaos at major airports and mass protests while several district courts moved to block its implementation and lawmakers expressed opposition.
The troubled roll-out also dominated the first weeks of the new administration, leaving many with the impression that it was badly planned.
Polls show American public opinion is deeply divided on the issue. Most indicate a slight majority of voters opposed, with strong support among Trump’s political base.
The Republican president criticized a court order suspending the ban as “a very bad decision, very bad for the safety and security of our country.” But he has now stepped away from a promise to challenge the matter in the courts. The second order repeals the first, spelling the end of any pending legal proceedings.
Iraq’s inclusion in the first order prompted outrage in that country. The US and Iraqi militaries are currently fighting side-by-side in northern Iraq, trying to wrest the city of Mosul from Islamic State control.
The Iraqi foreign ministry on Monday expressed its “deep satisfaction” with the new order.
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