With ongoing protests in several cities across the U.S., on Sunday, 29th January, 2017, President Donald Trump, issued a statement defending his executive order, that temporarily bans citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States.
Trump denied that, the "extreme vetting" was "about religion", and insisted "this is about terror and keeping our country safe. Trump criticized, media for "falsely reporting" descriptions of the order, which bars people of certain countries from entering the U.S. for three months.
In the order Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen are the seven nations which are bared.
The President Donald Trump, compared his policy to one enacted in 2011, by the former President Barack Obama, which suspended visa processing for Iraqi refugees for six months. Unlike his predecessor's policy, Trump's order also applies to people, who are holding valid visas."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."
Donald Trump to speak to PM Modi
Defense on the travel ban by Trump, came the day after a federal judge's ruling halted the deportation of some who had been detained at U.S. airports. While demonstrators gathered for the second day in a row in several cities including Boston, New York and L.A, the White House statement was issued.
The presence of thousands of protesters, at Los Angeles International Airport, resulted in the temporary closure of the lower-level roadway near Terminal 3, Terminal 4 and the Tom Bradley International Terminal. By the time, some congressional Republicans pushed back on the immigration order.
Senator Rob Portman, encouraged Trump to "slow down", and work with legislators to tighten screening for foreigners who enter the U.S.
Portman said, everyone should "take a deep breath and come up with something that makes sense for our national security" and reflects the fact that "'America's always been a welcoming home for refugees and immigrants." Portman described America as "this beacon of hope and opportunity for the rest of the world" and said it should remain that way.
By Mrudula.
