The US administration has refuted “false reports” suggesting that nine more countries, which included “Southern Philippines”, face travel curbs along with seven mostly-Muslim nations listed by President Donald Trump.
Only nationals from Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Iran, Somalia, Libya, and Yemen are “affected by the 90-day temporary pause on travel, with case-by-base exceptions and waivers, as outlined in the President’s Executive Order entitled Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States,” Manila Bulletin quoted the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as saying.
“Importantly, these seven countries are the only countries to which the pause on entry applies. No other countries face such treatment. Nor have any other countries been identified as warranting future inclusion at this time, contrary to false reports,” it reportedly said.
It also stated that the January 27 order does not apply to lawful permanent residents, dual citizens with passports from a country other than the seven listed, or those traveling on diplomatic, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), or United Nations (UN) visas.
Those who have already acquired a special immigrant visa from these seven countries may board US-bound planes, and apply for national interest exceptions upon arrival in the US.
President Trump’s executive order, however, has been suspended temporarily after a US federal judge in Seattle, Washington state, issued a temporary restraining order that is valid nationwide, the report said.
President Trump’s executive order provides that at the end of 90 days, a review will be jointly conducted by the DHS, the Department of State, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence on the information provided by countries in order for their nationals to apply for visas, immigration benefits, or otherwise seek admission into the US, said the news portal.
In the review, the US agencies will validate identities of the US immigrants if “they are who they claim to be and do not pose security or public-safety threat.” Results of the review will be provided to President Trump, Manila Bulletin reported.
