Travel ban implementation a ‘massive success’ – President Trump’s aides

Donald Trump’s aides have hailed the implementation of a temporary travel ban on people from seven countries as a “massive success story”.

The words come despite criticism from some top Republicans, anger from the mainly-Muslim countries affected and scenes of protest and confusion at US airports.

A senior official said that the executive order signed by Mr Trump on Friday was being fully enforced by agencies.


He said: “Nothing has changed.

“So it really is a massive success story in terms of implementation on every single level.”

US judges in at least five states have blocked federal authorities from enforcing the orders which ban the admission of Syrian refugees and suspends travel to the US from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan and Libya.

On Friday, Mr Trump said the order was to protect Americans from terrorism on home soil.

But workplaces have been left without employers or employees, educational institutions without students or teachers and refugees turned away, despite having completing a vetting process that is already tough.

Despite this, Mr Trump was standing firm, saying: “The seven countries named in the executive order are the same countries previously identified by the Obama administration as sources of terror.

“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.

“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.”

Among those barred from the US were some people with green cards, which give the holder the right to reside in the US.

But on Sunday, US Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly made it clear that these “lawful permanent residents” would not be blocked from returning to the US.

Late on Sunday, reports from those arriving at airports with green cards appeared to confirm his instructions were being heeded.