- HOUSTON — An extensive travel ban issued by US President Donald Trump took
effect amid growing chaos over the Trump administration's immigration
enforcement.
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- Over the weekend, protesters clashed and faced off with
National Guard troops in downtown Los Angeles during the demonstrations against
immigration raids that swept across California.
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- In New York City, demonstrators occupied the Trump Tower
on Monday, demanding the release of immigrants detained in recent raids. Police
arrested at least 20 of them after a standoff lasting about 20 minutes, Xinhua
news agency reported quoting local media.
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- Trump signed a proclamation last week, fully banning the
entry of nationals from 12 countries, namely Afghanistan, Chad, the Republic of
the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia,
Sudan and Yemen, citing national security risks.
Read: US Supreme Court allows Trump administration ending humanitarian parole for 500,000-plus migrants
- According to a release by the White House, these
countries were found "to be deficient with regards to screening and
vetting and determined to pose a very high risk to the United States."
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- Meanwhile, the proclamation partially restricts the entry
of nationals from seven countries -- Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo,
Turkmenistan and Venezuela.
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- "The restrictions and limitations imposed by the
Proclamation are necessary to garner cooperation from foreign governments,
enforce our immigration laws, and advance other important foreign policy,
national security, and counterterrorism objectives," the White House said.
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- Exceptions to the ban include lawful permanent residents,
existing visa holders, certain visa categories, and individuals whose entry
serves US national interests.
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