TRUMP DROPS IRAQ FROM BAN

Washington, March 6: US President Donald Trump on Monday signed a revised executive order, temporarily halting entry to the US for people from six Muslim-majority nations who are seeking new visas while dropping Iraq from the list, after worldwide outrage over the controversial immigration policy.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer confirmed President Trump signed the order. The latest executive order specifies that a 90-day ban on people from Sudan, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen does not apply to those who already have valid visas. Any individual who had a valid visa either on January 27, 2017 (prior to 5:00 pm) or holds a valid visa on the effective date of the Executive Order is not barred from entry into the US.

Washington, March 6: US President Donald Trump on Monday signed a revised ban on travelers from six Muslim-majority nations, scaling back the order to exempt Iraqis and permanent US residents.

After his first wideranging and controversial restrictions were slapped down by the federal courts, Mr Trump signed an order freezing new visas for Syrians, Iranians, Libyans, Somalis, Yemenis and Sudanese citizens.

The White House said Mr Trump signed the order behind closed doors on Monday morning. The measure is due to come into effect on March 16.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called the executive order “a vital measure for strengthening our national security.” Attorney General Jeff Sessions added at a joint press conference that it “responsibly provides a needed pause so we can carefully review how we scrutinize people coming here from these countries of concern.”

“Three of these nations are state sponsors of terrorism,” Mr Sessions added, referring to Iran, Sudan and Syria, adding that others had served as “safe havens” for terror operatives.

The first version temporarily closed US borders to all refugees and to citizens from seven mainly Muslim countries. — AFP