White House declines to confirm or deny new travel ban

President Donald Trump, whose initial measures against the six countries were blasted as an effective “Muslim ban”, has yet to make a final decision on which nations will make the new list for much-restricted issuance of U.S. visas, they said.

The new plan was devised as a result of a 90-day policy review called for in the original travel ban.

After assessing the kinds of information that would satisfy those concerns, the State Department in July notified every country in the world of the new requirements, informing them that those unable or unwilling to comply would face new visa restrictions or all-out visa bans.

As Trump’s previous travel ban is currently being debated within the Supreme Court, Reuters is now reporting that his administration is on the verge of releasing yet another Executive Order for a brand new travel ban.

If “you can’t screen people effectively to know who’s coming into your country, then you shouldn’t allow people from that country to travel”, he said.

Miles Taylor, counselor to the secretary of Homeland Security, told reporters that acting Secretary Elaine Duke has recommended restrictions that are “tough” and “tailored”, but “temporary and may lifted again as circumstances change”.

Officials said Trump had not made a final decision, and they did not say when he would.

The policy review was required by Trump’s ban, which he signed in March. The high-court case centers on the existing travel ban, including the part that expires Sunday and a separate provision that suspends refugee admissions until October 24.

The DHS was tasked with reviewing the government’s current security screening protocols for the people traveling to the USA on a visa and refugees.

Originally, 17 nations were slated to be affected, but roughly half came into compliance with USA regulations when presented with the new prohibitions.

The highest court held that the ban could be implemented unless people could prove they had a “bona fide relationship” with the United States, in the form of close relatives already living in the country on a permanent basis.

After consultations, most countries ended up meeting the new US standards, officials said.

The 90-day ban on visitors from six majority-Muslim countries expires this Sunday, putting pressure on Trump to announce a new version – even as the original policies are being fought out in the courts.

The administration´s stated reason was national security: the need to ensure the six countries have adequate vetting procedures for travellers, so as to prevent terrorists from entering the country. And the administration believes (as the Journal puts it) “the new rubric will also be easier to defend in court because it is more targeted and based on more sophisticated analysis of the threats posed”.

The Supreme Court is set to hear oral argument on the constitutionality of the order next month.

In assessing vetting procedures, USA officials established a new “baseline” for the information officials want about foreigners hoping to come to the United States, Taylor said.