President Donald Trump issued his most substantial defense of his “extreme vetting” executive order, on Sunday, saying in a statement from the White House that he’s not banning Muslims from entering the U.S. – and laying much of the grief at former president Barack Obama’s feet.
This was just as it emerged that the U.S. government is considering the possibility of “asking foreign visitors to release information on what social media sites they use and to share their cell phone contacts”.
“My policy is similar to what President Obama did in 2011 when he banned visas for refugees from Iraq for six months,” Trump said of his own order, which is slated to expire in 90 days.
Obama’s directive, carried out in response to a specific terror threat, affected only refugees. Trump’s order is broader, including people from seven countries who want to emigrate to the U.S.
Trump also said that those nations – Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia Sudan, Syria and Yemen – “are the same countries previously identified by the Obama administration as sources of terror.”
Part of his statement read: “To be clear, this is not a Muslim ban, as the media is falsely reporting. This is not about religion – this is about terror and keeping our country safe. There are over 40 different countries worldwide that are majority Muslim that are not affected by this order”
Trump also tweeted, on Sunday morning, about the “need” for “strong borders and extreme vetting, NOW”.
Reports said in addition to Trump’s “extreme vetting” of immigrants entering the United States, his administration is considering adding another level of security screening.
Visiting foreigners may be asked to disclose their online activity, in addition to opening up their phone’s contact book to the government, CNN has reported, quoting sources.
Those who don’t comply with the request could be denied entry to the country, the report further claimed.
On Friday evening, Trump signed the executive order that severely restricted immigration into the United States.
The swift action was met with criticism and sparked protests at airports where foreigners were being detained.
Read below the full text of Trump’s statement:
“America is a proud nation of immigrants and we will continue to show compassion to those fleeing oppression, but we will do so while protecting our own citizens and border. America has always been the land of the free and home of the brave. We will keep it free and keep it safe, as the media knows, but refuses to say.
“My policy is similar to what President Obama did in 2011 when he banned visas for refugees from Iraq for six months. The seven countries named in the Executive Order are the same countries previously identified by the Obama administration as sources of terror.
“To be clear, this is not a Muslim ban, as the media is falsely reporting. This is not about religion – this is about terror and keeping our country safe. There are over 40 different countries worldwide that are majority Muslim that are not affected by this order.
“We will again be issuing visas to all countries once we are sure we have reviewed and implemented the most secure policies over the next 90 days. I have tremendous feeling for the people involved in this horrific humanitarian crisis in Syria. My first priority will always be to protect and serve our country, but as President I will find ways to help all those who are suffering.”
U.S. Muslim Ban: Trump Claims He Inherited List of Affected Countries from Obama
ByEditor
Jan 30, 2017
Trump signing the controversial executive order