Green card holders 'not targeted' by ban says Washington

Green card holders are apparently exempt from Donald Trump's immigration ban, White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus said on Sunday as confusion and anger presided over the controversial order.

MENA

2 min read

The New Arab & agencies

29 January, 2017

Anyone traveling back and forth from the banned countries will face further screening [AFP]

Donald Trump's immigration ban targeting millions of Muslims and refugees entering the US does not apply to green cards holders, a top White House aide said on Sunday.

It comes amid ongoing confusion and anger over the controversial crackdown, which has sparked major protests inside and outside the US.

White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus said that the temporary ban "doesn't include green card holders going forward," Priebus told NBC's Meet the Press programme.

He added however that anyone traveling back and forth from the countries in question - including US citizens - would be subjected to further screening.

Priebus was asked about reports that Trump's executive order issued on Friday affected green card holders, contrary to recommendations from the department of homeland security.

A green card, a document issued by the department of homeland security allowing a person born outside the country to reside and work in the US, serves as proof that its holder is a permanent resident and often is a step en route to obtaining US citizenship.

"We didn't overrule the department of homeland security, as far as green card holders moving forward, it doesn't affect them," Priebus told NBC.

Regarding the impact of Trump's executive order on US citizens, he added: "I would suspect that if you're an American citizen traveling back and forth to Libya you're likely to be subjected to further questioning when you come into an airport."

Priebus also suggested that the current ban - affecting travelers from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen - could be expanded eventually.

"Perhaps other countries needed to be added to an executive order going forward - but in order to do this in a way that was expeditious, in a way that would pass muster quickly, we used the seven countries" already targeted.

A federal judge late Saturday issued an emergency stay on parts of Trump's executive order, but the Department of Homeland Security and the White House on Sunday insisted that the order remains in force.