Newdraft of immigration ban targets same seven countries

WASHINGTON — A draft of President Donald Trump’s revised immigration ban targets the same seven countries listed in his original executive order and exempts travelers who already have a visa to travel to the U. S., even if they haven’t used it yet.

A senior administration official said the order, which Trump revised after federal courts held up his original immigration and refugee ban, will target only those same seven Muslim- majority countries — Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan and Libya.

The official said that green- card holders and dual citizens of the U. S. and any of those countries are exempt. The new draft also no longer directs authorities to single out — and reject — Syrian refugees when processing new visa applications.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the order before it’s made public. The official noted that the draft is subject to change ahead of its signing, which Trump said could come sometime this week.

Asked about the revised order, White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the document circulating was a draft and that a final version should be released soon. The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Wall Street Journal also reported that the current draft of the revised order focused on the seven countries but excluded those with green cards.

Trump’s original executive order triggered chaos at airports around the world, as travelers were detained when the order rapidly went into effect, U. S. permanent residents known as green- card holders among them.

Interviews in Florida

In Florida, Trump brought more contenders for national security adviser to his Palm Beach club for in- person interviews Sunday, hoping to fill the job in the coming days.

Scheduled to discuss the job with the president at Mar- a- Lago were his acting adviser, retired Army Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg; John Bolton, a former U. S. ambassador to the United Nations; Army Lt. Gen. H. R. McMaster and the superintendent of the U. S. Military Academy atWest Point, Lt. Gen. Robert Caslen.

Trump also attended a strategy session on how to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.