New US travel ban as Trump signs revised executive order on immigration
Posted March 6, 2017 7:14 am.
Last Updated March 6, 2017 12:59 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
WASHINGTON, DC. (NEWS 1130) – The White House confirms US President Donald Trump has signed a revised immigration order that bans people from six Muslim-majority countries including Sudan, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia and Yemen.
The order will temporarily halt entries to the United States for people from the six countries who are trying to get new visas. The new directive aims to address legal issues that arose from the original order, which was blocked by the courts earlier this year.
The ban, once implemented, would be in place for up to 90 days.
Iraq was originally included on the list of banned countries, but according to the fact sheet, it was removed after agreeing to increase co-operation with the US government on vetting of its citizens applying for a travel visa. The ban does not apply to people who already have valid visas.
Iraq says the ban sends a “positive message” about the future of bilateral relations as the two countries work to combat the Islamic State group. Government spokesman Saad al-Hadithi says the decision to revise the ban shows that there is a “real partnership” between Washington and Baghdad.
Meantime, Nigeria is warning citizens not to travel to the United States, saying several Nigerians with valid visas have been put on the next plane home.
The new order has been in the works since shortly after a federal court blocked Trump’s initial effort, but the administration has repeatedly pushed back the signing as it has worked to better co-ordinate with the agencies that it will need to implement the ban.
No refugees will be let into the country at all for the next four months. That builds on what we saw from the previous travel ban, which explicitly restricted the entry of Syrian refugees.
Parliament Hill reacts to travel ban
While many politicians in Canada and around the world have been critical of the Trump administration’s travel ban, the Trudeau government is refusing to speak out against it.
The pressure has been building on Ottawa to condemn it and with a new ban came a renewed call from NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair. “Canadians expect a prime minister with the courage to stand up against a racist executive order.”
But instead of criticizing the US, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau touted Canadian values. “We are an open and welcoming country and we continue to demonstrate that we truly believe that diversity is a source of strength.”
The public safety minister says they are studying the executive order to gauge its full impact as the government creates plans for all scenarios.
