Travel ban uproar spreads
> Trump says its about terror and keeping country safe
NEW YORK: Donald Trump faced mass protests worldwide on Sunday over his ban on travellers from seven Muslim countries entering the US, in a backlash that poses an enormous test for his administration.
The measures, introduced just one week after he took office, were criticised by allies, caused confusion among border guards and galvanised Democrats looking for a way to bash Trump. There was growing unease among Republican lawmakers as well.
Four federal judges moved to halt deportations, around 300 people were stopped or detained worldwide and US civil rights lawyers warned the battle could head to the Supreme Court.
Thousands of noisy demonstrators poured into major airports for a second day, showing support for immigrants and refugees affected by Trump’s contentious travel restrictions.
“I just hope that we can pass this difficult period while maintaining our values as a country,” said Saif Rahman, a 38-year-old Iraqi-born US citizen who was called in for additional screening after flying into Dulles airport, near Washington DC.
An executive order signed by Trump suspended the arrival of all refugees for a minimum of 120 days, Syrian refugees indefinitely and bars citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days.
Lawyers accompanied by interpreters set up shop in airports and fought for the release of those detained on arrival – many were mid-air when Trump signed the decree on Friday.
At least 109 people were held upon arrival to the United States despite holding valid visas. It was unclear how many were still detained late Sunday.
Top Trump aides downplayed the number as “a couple of dozen” as Canada said it would offer temporary residence to those stranded in the country by the ban.
Under fire from all quarters, Trump issued an official White House statement to deny it was a Muslim ban and blast the media for its coverage.
“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,” he said.
Trump’s order – which falls short of his campaign promise to ban all Muslims from coming to the US – ignited the biggest controversy since he took office.
The president also slung Twitter insults at Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham, fellow Republicans who criticised the ban.
He called them “weak on immigration” and said they were “looking to start World War III”. – AFP