Trump waters down new order

EXEMPT: IRAQIS, PERMANENT RESIDENTS, VISA HOLDERS

President’s revised ban comes into effect on March 16.

US President Donald Trump signed a revised ban on refugees and on travellers from six Muslim-majority nations on Monday, scaling back the order to exempt Iraqis and permanent US 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 travellers 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 exempts Iraqis, legal permanent residents and valid visa holders.

“The principles of the executive order remain the same,” said White House spokesperson Sean Spicer.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson 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 travellers from “countries of concern”.

“Three of these nations are state sponsors of terrorism,” Sessions said, referring to Iran, Sudan and Syria.

Nongovernmental groups accused Trump of covertly pursuing his controversial and possibly illegal campaign 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.

Trump’s first order had sparked a legal, political and logistical furore.

There was chaos at major airports and mass protests while several district courts moved to block its implementation and lawmakers expressed opposition.

The rollout also dominated the first weeks of the new administration, leaving many with the impression that it was badly planned and badly implemented.

Iraq’s inclusion in the first order prompted outrage in that country, especially from Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.

The US and Iraqi militaries are fighting side-by-side in northern Iraq against Islamic State.

On Monday, Nigeria advised its citizens against all but essential travel to the US, citing the lack of clarity on the new rules.

But the ban is likely to help Trump divert attention from rolling crises on his ties with Russia.

Since US intelligence publicly accused Russia of trying to swing the election in his favour, questions have swirled about whether some in Trump’s campaign colluded with Moscow. –