Trump working on new ‘streamlined’ travel ban
Homeland Security chief Kelly says updated executive order would allow entry to Green Card and visa holders, unlike first incarnation
MUNICH, Germany — US Homeland Security chief John Kelly said Saturday that a new presidential immigrant ban will be better prepared and implemented to ensure there is no repeat of the chaos caused by the first. He said President Donald Trump was working on a “streamlined” version of the original executive order banning travel from seven predominantly Muslim nations, which was quickly overturned by the courts.
Trump said Thursday he would announce a new executive order on immigration next week after federal courts suspended his ban on the ground it targeted Muslims and was implemented without due care or preparation.
Kelly told the Munich Security Conference that the administration had been surprised by the ruling and would try to do better.
“I would say the president is contemplating releasing a tighter, more streamlined version,” he said. “We will have this time the opportunity to work the roll-out plan in particular to make sure there is no one … caught in the system.”
The first order temporarily barred people from seven Muslim-majority countries from traveling to the United States for 90 days, as well as all refugees for 120 days — except those from Syria, who were banned indefinitely.
It triggered worldwide outrage and chaos as people arriving at US airports from targeted countries were detained and sometimes sent back to where they came from, including Green Card visa holders.
Kelly said that problem would not be repeated.
“As far as the visas go, if they are in motion from some distant land to the US when they arrive they’ll be allowed in,” he said.
The US Justice Department announced Thursday it was dropping its appeal against the court ruling that suspended the original executive order, soon after Trump said he would issue a new one next week.
“We will be issuing a new and very comprehensive order to protect our people,” the president told a news conference.
The January 27 order was widely criticized as amounting to simply a ban on Muslims, and also for being rolled out sloppily — with virtually no warning to the public or preparation of the agencies tasked with enforcing it.
Trump on Thursday nevertheless hailed the introduction of the travel ban as smooth. He criticized the court order suspending the ban as “a very bad decision, very bad for the safety and security of our country. The roll-out was perfect.”
The Times of Israel Community.