May refuses three times to condemn Trump as border blitz sparks chaos
THERESA MAY was dragged into the furore over Donald Trump’s ‘Muslim migrant’ ban yesterday after refusing three times to condemn it.
She was challenged over the issue in Turkey just 24 hours after her White House summit with the US President.
Mrs May declined three times to disown Trump’s so-called ‘extreme vetting’ policy – but was put on the spot by a heckler who shouted: ‘What about the US?’
She replied: ‘The United States is responsible for the United States’ policy on refugees. The United Kingdom is responsible for the United Kingdom’s policy on refugees.’
The order means tens of thousands of British citizens will have to visit an American embassy to apply for work visas or renew existing visas.
Mr Trump said his decision to refuse visas for 90 days to migrants or visitors from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen was needed to make America safe from ‘radical Islamic terrorists’.
But it led to pandemonium at US airports, worldwide protests from human rights groups – and is set to hit next month’s Oscars ceremony badly.
Thousands of citizens from those countries already living legally in America can now no longer leave for fear of being unable to return. The Depart- ment of Homeland Security said the executive order barred green card holders from the seven countries from re-entering the US – a move which potentially affects half a million people.
Reports in the US last night told of students attending universities being unable to get back into the country while others were stopped as they returned from funerals abroad.
Tech giants Google and Facebook immediately ordered all workers from the affected countries not to travel amid concerns their industry will no longer be able to recruit the ‘brightest and best’ from around the world.
Google ordered staff to return to the US saying: ‘We’re concerned about the impact of this order.’
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, whose wife Priscilla’s parents are immigrants from China and Vietnam, posted an emotional message: ‘Had we turned away refugees a few decades ago, Priscilla’s family wouldn’t be here today.’
Reports claimed the US State Department planned to bar citizens from the seven targeted countries who enjoy dual nationality. Hundreds of protesters gathered at New York’s JFK Airport last night after it emerged the ban could affect millions with dual passports.
One Twitter user pointed out that athlete Sir Mo Farah who was born in Somalia – on Trump’s banned list – but enjoys UK citizenship will be prevented from returning to the Nike training facility in Oregon. Meanwhile Mrs May came under fire from Harry Potter author JK Rowling who com-
Pandemonium at airports and protests ‘Ban Trump from addressing MPs’
pared her refusal to condemn Trump to that of Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain who tried to appease Hitler before the outbreak of the Second Wolrd War.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn attacked Trump’s ‘hideous and appalling actions’.
And last night Tory MP Sarah Wollaston branded Mr Trump a ‘sickening piece of work’ who should be banned during his State visit later this year from addressing MPs and peers in Westminster Hall, a privilege traditionally accorded to heads of state.
While in the US, Theresa May struck a trade agreement with President Trump – in defiance of EU leaders who say no formal trade talks can take place before Brexit.
The US President seized the chance to sign an agreement with Mrs May with talks to begin ‘immediately’.
Trump’s new world order – Pages 8,9,10