Three days after President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning the entry of all refugees and immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries into the US, the country and the world are still figuring out what it means.
Here is what we know — and still don’t know — of the action which has put the US government into a state of confusion and chaos, and caused people around the world to criticize and protest the sweeping change.
State Department Workers 'Dissent' to Travel Ban
More than 100 State Department employees signed an internal cable signifying dissent with Trump's executive order on refugees' and immigrants' ability to enter the US. The White House responded by telling the employees who don't support Trump's agenda should leave their jobs.
UN Rights Chief Denounces Travel Ban
Zeid Ra'ad al Hussein, human rights chief of the UN, has spoken out against Trump's executive order: “Discrimination on nationality alone is forbidden under human rights law. The US ban is also mean-spirited, and wastes resources needed for proper counter-terrorism.”
Obama Encourages People to Keep Protesting
Former President Barack Obama broke his post-presidency silence Friday when he encourages people to keep protesting and to voice their opposition just a week into President Trump's term. While Obama didn't name Trump in the statement, it did say, "the President formally disagrees with the notion of discriminating against individuals because of their faith or religion.” Read more here.
Celebs Speak Out Against Trump
My wife came to this country on a refugee visa in the middle of the Cold War! My blood is boiling right now!
— ashton kutcher (@aplusk) January 29, 2017
Hollywood isn't happy with Trump's executive order. A myriad of actors and singers took to social media and the SAG awards stage to speak out against the ban on refugees and immigrants. Rihanna wrote on Twitter, "Disgusted! The news is devastating! America is being ruined right before our eyes!" Read more reactions here.
Sen. Schumer to Fight for Travel Ban Repeal
New York Sen. Chuck Schumer said he's going to ask Congress to issue a repeal of Trump's travel ban. "This is a blanket ban. It hurts innocent people and doesn’t stop terrorism. It’s just appalling," Schumer said on the TODAY show. Schumer will need Sen. Mitch McConnell onboard for the measure to proceed and it's unclear if that will happen.
Trump Denies Airport Confusion Was Because of Executive Order
Only 109 people out of 325,000 were detained and held for questioning. Big problems at airports were caused by Delta computer outage,.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 30, 2017
In a series of tweets this morning, Trump blamed a computer outage from Delta Airlines, the thousands of protesters, and the “tears of Senator Schumer” for confusion that ensued after he signed the executive order.
Partial Rollback of Policy
White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus went on TV on Sunday to say that the ban would not impact valid green card holders, even if they’re from one of the seven countries — Iraq, Iran, South Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, Libya, and Syria. Watch it here. The Department of Homeland Security followed by officially declaring valid green card holders exempt from the ban.
The Plan’s Rollout Was Chaotic
The New York Times has a detailed account of how the new ban on refugees and certain immigrants induced chaos in the US and around the world. The story has stunning details about how the leaders of the departments who are implementing the ban did not know the details of it until it was signed on Friday. Read more here. White House press secretary Sean Spicer countered these claims Monday morning by saying, "I think there are some people who might not like the way it was done, but they were all consulted in the process."
Trump Insists Executive Order Is Not a ‘Muslim Ban’
The president spoke to reporters Sunday “on background” which means it’s off the record. Still, it was reported that he insisted that the ban was not meant to target Muslims, despite his supporters using that exact term on news shows. Read more from the AP.
Who’s Been Detained
The New York Times also reports that about 109 travelers were detained in the first 24 hours of the ban, out of the average 325,000 who enter the US in a day.
The UK Wants PM May to Uninvite Trump
A petition circulating the United Kingdom is calling on Prime Minister Theresa May to uninvite Donald Trump to visit the United Kingdom on an upcoming state visit. The petition has more than 1 million signatures, which means the UK parliament will have to debate the issue. May has already said the invitation won't be rescinded despite wide opposition. A protest is planned for tonight outside 10 Downing Street. Read more from The Guardian.