Boston Copley Square Photo by GorillaWarfare via Wikimedia Commons
President Donald Trump Sunday said his executive order barring entry of visitors from seven predominantly Muslim countries is not about religion but about keeping America safe.
“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 in a statement.
The White House statement came as protests grew across the United States against the executive order that bans entry of people from seven countries including Iran, Iraq, Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Libya and Yemen.
In Washington, a number of protesters demonstrated against the measure outside the White House, describing it as un-American, and said the United States should not turn its back on refugees fleeing conflicts and persecution.
Earlier, Republican senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham criticized the measure.
“Our government has a responsibility to defend our borders, but we must do so in a way that makes us safer and upholds all that is decent and exceptional about our nation.”
But Trump noted in the White House statement that “America is a proud nation of immigrants and we will continue to show compassion to those fleeing oppression, but we will do so while protecting our own citizens and border.”
America, he said, has always been the land of the free and home of the brave.
“We will keep it free and keep it safe, as the media knows, but refuses to say. My policy is similar to what President Obama did in 2011 when he banned visas for refugees from Iraq for six months. The seven countries named in the Executive Order are the same countries previously identified by the Obama administration as sources of terror.”
The president noted there are over 40 different countries worldwide that are majority Muslim that are not affected by this order.
“We will again be issuing visas to all countries once we are sure we have reviewed and implemented the most secure policies over the next 90 days. I have tremendous feeling for the people involved in this horrific humanitarian crisis in Syria. My first priority will always be to protect and serve our country, but as President I will find ways to help all those who are suffering.”
