Donald Trump defends his ‘extreme vetting’ policy and claims Obama did the same to Iraqi refugees in 2011
PRESIDENT Donald Trump has defended his immigration order insisting it is "not a Muslim ban" and claimed his predecessor Barack Obama did the same thing in 2011.
Trump's executive order for the "extreme vetting" of immigrants means no visas are being issued to migrants or visitors from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days.
The US President has defended the order in a statement amid protests across the US and calls for his state visit to the UK to be cancelled.
It read: "America is a proud nation of immigrants and we will continue to show compassion to those fleeing oppression, but we will do so while protecting our own citizens and border. America has always been the land of the free and home of the brave.
"This is not about religion, this is about terror and keeping our country safe."
The President has also claimed that his predecessor, Democrat Barack Obama, did the same thing in 2011 when he paused the Iraqi refugee programme.
He also stressed that the seven countries targeted by his ban were also listed by Obama.
The previous US President paused the approval of refugee applications from Iraq for six months in 2011 after two Iraqi al-Qaeda terrorists were found living as refugees in Kentucky.
Obama's order selected Iraqi nations based on geography and a specific event.
Mr Trump has defended his move on Twitter.
He tweeted: "Our country needs strong borders and extreme vetting, NOW.
"Look what is happening all over Europe and, indeed, the world - a horrible mess!"
A couple of hours later he posted: "Christians in the Middle-East have been executed in large numbers.
"We cannot allow this horror to continue!"
The US immigration system is in disarray after the executive order.
Shocking footage has shown police dousing protesters with pepper spray at Seattle airport.
Protesters have gathered at JFK airport in New York carrying banners saying "Muslims live matter" and "We are ALL immigrants."
Some green card holders who had flown home to the USA were taken into custody on arrival.
A judge has ruled that those who had already landed in the US with valid visas could be temporarily allowed to stay in the country.
The American Civil Liberties Union, which won the federal court judgement, said in a statement: "We are a democratic republic where the powers of government are not dictatorial."
As of Saturday night customs and border protection officials had denied entry to more than 170 people.
Others who were about to board flights back to the US were told they could not travel.
The Department of Homeland Security contacted airlines recommending them to deny boarding to certain passengers.
The ban sparked protests at airports in New York, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas.
It has also created uncertainty for refugees who were about to start a new life in the USA.
The resettlement of refugees has been suspended for at least 120 days while tougher vetting rules are established.
Syrian refugees have been barred from the US indefinitely.
Theresa May has tasked Boris Johnson with securing an exemption from Donald Trump's Muslim travel ban for Brits with dual citizenship.
A Tory MP who is banned from visiting America under Trump's order has called the policy "demeaning" and "sad".
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