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Donald Trump defends Muslim-countries travel ban amid protests: 'our country needs strong borders' – live Donald Trump defends Muslim-countries travel ban amid protests: 'our country needs strong borders' – live
(35 minutes later)
6.39pm GMT
18:39
The president of Columbia University, Lee Bollinger, emailed all staff and students of the university last night speaking out against Trump’s travel ban, noting the impact it will have on the academic community. While it seems no Columbia University staff have been caught up so far, many other academics and students from other universities have been amongst those stopped from entering.
In the email published at Columbia Spectator, Bollinger wrote:
An estimated 17,000 international students in the U.S. are from the seven nations covered by the entry ban. Scholars planning to travel to the United States for meetings and conferences at our colleges and universities will effectively be barred from attending. If this order stands, there is the certainty of a profound impact on our University community, which is committed to welcoming students, faculty, and staff from around the world, as well as across the nation.
As I have said on many occasions, it is critically important that the University, as such, not take stands on ideological or political issues. Yet it is also true that the University, as an institution in the society, must step forward to object when policies and state action conflict with its fundamental values, and especially when they bespeak purposes and a mentality that are at odds with our basic mission. This is such a case.
6.30pm GMT
18:30
Alice Ross
Reporter Alice Ross has been speaking to people affected by the travel ban, and people suddenly being cut off from those they love is a recurrent theme.
She spoke to a gay US citizen who was tantalizingly close to being able to bring his Iranian fiancé to the US:
I am a US citizen by birth and a gay male. When travelling in Iran as a tourist I met a Kurdish Iranian, also a gay male and we fell in love. I applied for a K1 Fiancé Visa and my petition was approved. Last November we travelled to Turkey where my fiancé had his interview at the US Embassy in Ankara. After two months of processing and vetting the visa was approved three days before President Trump took office.
When I heard the news about the executive order, I wanted to vomit. If my fiancé stays in Iran he will never be able to live freely and could be executed for his sexual orientation.
Our concern is that we’re going to miss the window of opportunity to get the visa - we only have until mid-April - which would mean we’d have to begin the process all over again. It’s so frustrating because we thought we’d made it, that we’d actually succeeded in demonstrating to the government that we had a legitimate relationship…
We were celebrating. We were to meet in Istanbul in March, send his passport to the embassy to get the visa, and enjoy some time together in Turkey before he finishes his Masters. Then he was going to fly here and it was going to be a happy ever after kind of story. And now the whole bottom has dropped out of everything.
6.19pm GMT
18:19
An Iranian-born BBC reporter is currently stuck in immigration in Chicago airport, and is posting updates on Twitter about being taken to a waiting room.
The border offices has not mentioned anything just invited me to a waiting room and took away my passport. Waiting...
يك خانم با پاسپورت ايراني و گرين كارت هم اينجاست. An Iranian lady is also here. Iranian passport and green card
6.17pm GMT
18:17
Boston anti-travel ban rally begins with huge crowds
Hundreds of people already in Copley Square, Boston, for a rally against the travel ban executive order.
From a WBUR (Boston’s NPR affiliate) reporter:
Copley Square in Boston, marching against POTUS' exec order on immigration ban. # pic.twitter.com/soat8ab3Y9
From a Boston Globe reporter:
Orange Line is packed as Bostonians head to protest Trump's #MuslimBan. pic.twitter.com/BdVUMXmWFj
A local TV network is flying over the rally, with live video showing huge crowds and packed streets. The rally started at 1pm.
6.03pm GMT6.03pm GMT
18:0318:03
Earlier today Trump spokeswoman Kellyanne Conway falsely told Fox News Sunday that last night’s stay decision by a New York federal judge “doesn’t really affect the executive order.” Earlier on Sunday Trump spokeswoman Kellyanne Conway falsely told Fox News Sunday that Saturday night’s stay decision by a New York federal judge “doesn’t really affect the executive order”.
“The judge in Brooklyn, the Obama appointee judge in Brooklyn’s stay of order really doesn’t affect the executive order at all, because the executive order is meant to be prospective,” she told host Christ Wallace. “The judge in Brooklyn, the Obama appointee judge in Brooklyn’s stay of order really doesn’t affect the executive order at all, because the executive order is meant to be prospective,” she told host Chris Wallace.
“It’s preventing not detaining,” she said.“It’s preventing not detaining,” she said.
Not all aspects of the executive order are covered by the Brooklyn judge’s decision but it does stop deportations. Not all aspects of the executive order are covered by the Brooklyn judge’s decision, but it does stop deportations.
She also said she understood what it was like to be stopped at airports but that it was a small price to pay for national security.She also said she understood what it was like to be stopped at airports but that it was a small price to pay for national security.
“I was stopped many times ... after 9/11,” she said. “I didn’t resemble, or share a name with, or be part of any kind of terrorist conspiracy, but this is what we do to keep a nation safe.”“I was stopped many times ... after 9/11,” she said. “I didn’t resemble, or share a name with, or be part of any kind of terrorist conspiracy, but this is what we do to keep a nation safe.”
Just remember that Conway is a blonde white US-born American woman.Just remember that Conway is a blonde white US-born American woman.
Updated
at 6.36pm GMT
5.39pm GMT5.39pm GMT
17:3917:39
Nesrine MalikNesrine Malik
Nesrine Malik, a Sudanese-born writer who lives in London, writes about the personal impact of the travel ban:Nesrine Malik, a Sudanese-born writer who lives in London, writes about the personal impact of the travel ban:
I now cannot travel to the US, a country I visit frequently and in which I have work interests, close family and dear friends. It is a curious feeling, a new feeling. One that collapses space-time and connects you to all those before you who have found themselves on the ugly end of a collective insanity. It is a feeling that rocks the very ground on which you thought we all stood.I now cannot travel to the US, a country I visit frequently and in which I have work interests, close family and dear friends. It is a curious feeling, a new feeling. One that collapses space-time and connects you to all those before you who have found themselves on the ugly end of a collective insanity. It is a feeling that rocks the very ground on which you thought we all stood.
Suddenly, all certainties look shaky. Residencies, passports, green cards, jobs, mortgages, friends, marriages – all the things you thought fortified you against the mobilisation of state machinery – dissolve. You are only a Muslim. And what does that mean? It is a tag that defies definition, becoming more elusive the more you try to pin it down. I was reminded of a scene from a dramatisation of Roots author Alex Haley’s life, when he, dressed proudly in his US Coast Guard uniform and sporting his medals, confidently asks for a hotel room for the night for him and his wife. When he is refused one for being black, he returns to his car enraged – not at those who denied him but at himself for thinking he was exempt. “All they saw was a monkey.”Suddenly, all certainties look shaky. Residencies, passports, green cards, jobs, mortgages, friends, marriages – all the things you thought fortified you against the mobilisation of state machinery – dissolve. You are only a Muslim. And what does that mean? It is a tag that defies definition, becoming more elusive the more you try to pin it down. I was reminded of a scene from a dramatisation of Roots author Alex Haley’s life, when he, dressed proudly in his US Coast Guard uniform and sporting his medals, confidently asks for a hotel room for the night for him and his wife. When he is refused one for being black, he returns to his car enraged – not at those who denied him but at himself for thinking he was exempt. “All they saw was a monkey.”
Read the rest here.Read the rest here.
5.36pm GMT5.36pm GMT
17:3617:36
Kim Kardashian, who backed Hillary Clinton during the election, is also getting politically involved with the travel ban by tweeting statistics to her 49 million followers.Kim Kardashian, who backed Hillary Clinton during the election, is also getting politically involved with the travel ban by tweeting statistics to her 49 million followers.
Statistics pic.twitter.com/aSpyFuabctStatistics pic.twitter.com/aSpyFuabct
5.31pm GMT5.31pm GMT
17:3117:31
From Guardian US data editor Mona Chalabi:From Guardian US data editor Mona Chalabi:
5.24pm GMT5.24pm GMT
17:2417:24
John McCain: "very concerned" travel ban helps IsisJohn McCain: "very concerned" travel ban helps Isis
Senator John McCain spoke publicly about his concern that Trump’s travel ban executive order could aid Isis by giving them more reasons to encourage its supporters against the US. Senator John McCain spoke publicly about his concern that Trump’s travel ban could aid Islamic State by giving it more reasons to encourage its supporters to fight against the US.
“I think the effect will probably in some areas give Isis some more propaganda,” McCain said in an interview with CBS’s Face the Nation.“I think the effect will probably in some areas give Isis some more propaganda,” McCain said in an interview with CBS’s Face the Nation.
McCain, chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee and a Republican from Arizona, added that he was “very concerned about our effect on the Iraqis right now”. McCain, chair of the Senate armed services committee and a Republican from Arizona, added that he was “very concerned about our effect on the Iraqis right now”.
He noted that former CIA Director David Petraeus is “very concerned” for local translators who worked for the US military, who often do the job specifically in the hope of receiving a visa to the US. He noted that former CIA director David Petraeus is “very concerned” for local translators who worked for the US military, who often do the job specifically in the hope of receiving a visa to the US.
After the travel ban, a former military translator, Iraqi Hameed Khalid Darweesh, was amongst those stopped at JFK airport this weekend and initially refused entry. After the travel ban, a former military translator, Iraqi Hameed Khalid Darweesh, was among those stopped at JFK airport this weekend and initially refused entry.
Updated
at 6.33pm GMT
5.07pm GMT5.07pm GMT
17:0717:07
With thousands expected at protests around the country against Trump’s executive order...With thousands expected at protests around the country against Trump’s executive order...
Movie update! Trump will be hosting staff and family in the White House Family Theater this afternoon for a screening of Finding Dory.Movie update! Trump will be hosting staff and family in the White House Family Theater this afternoon for a screening of Finding Dory.
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.13pm GMTat 6.13pm GMT
4.58pm GMT4.58pm GMT
16:5816:58
Wondering if your senator backs or criticizes the travel ban executive order?Wondering if your senator backs or criticizes the travel ban executive order?
This Google document shows listssenators alphabetically, noting whether they have opposed or remained silent to the ban, any link or public statement about it and the dates they will be up for re-election.This Google document shows listssenators alphabetically, noting whether they have opposed or remained silent to the ban, any link or public statement about it and the dates they will be up for re-election.
It also includes contact information, such as their office address, phone number and online contact details.It also includes contact information, such as their office address, phone number and online contact details.
The document shows, for example, Senator Jeff Flake from Arizona, a Republican, has spoken out publicly against the ban, while Senator Jon Tester, a Democrat from Montana, has made no statement.The document shows, for example, Senator Jeff Flake from Arizona, a Republican, has spoken out publicly against the ban, while Senator Jon Tester, a Democrat from Montana, has made no statement.
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.14pm GMTat 6.14pm GMT
4.51pm GMT
16:51
Travel ban will no longer apply to green-card holders, says Priebus
Only a day after casting airports around the US into confusion and hours after his first defeat in federal court, Donald Trump and his advisers flew into a defense of his vague and chaotically enforced ban on travel from seven Muslim-majority countries.
Trump’s chief of staff, Reince Priebus, however, appeared to concede ground when he said the ban would no longer apply to green-card holders.
... Appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday, Priebus said 325,000 travelers had entered the US on Saturday and 109 were detained.
“Most of those people were moved out,” he said. “We’ve got a couple dozen more that remain and I would suspect that as long as they’re not awful people that they will move through before another half a day today.”
In an abrupt, apparent change from the White House’s original policy, Priebus said the order would no longer affect green-card holders. But he also suggested that “other countries” may “need to be added” to the travel ban.
“Maybe some of those people should be detained,” he said, although valid visa holders have already passed through an arduous screening and interview process.
Read the rest of the story here.
Updated
at 5.00pm GMT
4.33pm GMT
16:33
Henry McDonald
From the Guardian’s Ireland correspondent:
St Patrick’s Day and the annual “hooley” at the White House to celebrate Ireland’s national day could pose embarrassment for some of the Irish political parties that normally attend the Washington DC celebrations on 17 March.
The leader of the nationalist Social Democratic and Labour Party Colum Eastwood confirmed today he will boycott Donald Trump’s hosting of the Shamrock-tinged shindig this year.
Speaking today ahead of Theresa May’s visit to Dublin on Monday where she will hold Brexit talks with Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Eastwood said the Trump ban on Muslim travellers underpinned his decision not to attend this year’s St.Patrick’s Day party in the White House.
He said it was up to other political parties both in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic to decide if they thought it was right to attend the annual St.Patrick’s Day party.
Eastwood said: “The worst fears about the Trump Presidency are coming to fruition. These immigration bans are a method of designed discrimination against one religion.
“This US presidency is not normal therefore normal diplomatic niceties should not apply. I would urge the Irish government to take every step possible to ensure that these discriminatory checks and bans are not enforced at our airports. We should have no hand, act or part in implementing this ban,” said Eastwood.
Taoiseach Kenny is expected to accept the new US President’s invite to the traditional St.Patrick’s Day celebrations but the Irish Premier’s Foreign Minister has expressed deep concern over the anti Muslim travel ban today.
Charlie Flanagan said he would be raising the ban during his visit to Washington DC next week.
“While US immigration policy is a matter for the US authorities, it is clear that the most recent decisions could have far-reaching implications - both on humanitarian grounds and on relations between the US and the global Muslim community,” the Republic’s Foreign Minister said.
4.22pm GMT
16:22
Thousands expected at protest rallies across the US
Good morning from New York City, where rallies will take place throughout the US today in response to the executive order signed by the president on Friday banning refugees and suspending visas from residents of seven Muslim-majority countries.
At 1pm ET, a huge rally is expected in Copley Square, Boston, hosted by CAIR Massachusetts. Over 16,000 people marked themselves as attending on the Facebook event. It will be held at “at the site of the Khalil Gibran Plaque - Gibran was an immigrant from Lebanon”, reads the event description.
At 2pm a large rally is expected at Battery Park in lower Manhattan, hosted by the New York Immigration Coalition. Over 9,500 people have marked themselves as attending on Facebook.
Thousands are expected to descend on the White House in DC at 1pm to protest the ban, with 13,000 people on Facebook saying they will attend the “No Muslim Ban” rally hosted by the group Peace for Iran.
Most major cities have a rally planned, and smaller rallies are expected all over the country, including Portland, ME, Reno, NV, Boise ID. Check out this Facebook post which shows all the currently planned rallies and their respective Facebook event page.
Are you at a rally in protest of Trump’s executive order today? Please tweet us pictures, news and video of the event at @ambiej!
3.57pm GMT
15:57
That is it from me. Thanks for all your comments and suggestions. My colleague Amber Jamieson in the Guardian’s US will be taking over from here.
3.41pm GMT
15:41
Guardian political editor Anushka Asthana has a bit more on the statement from No 10.
She says Boris Johnson will speak to two of Trump’s most senior advisers, Steve Bannon and Jared Kushner, and make it clear the UK wants an exemption from this travel ban for its citizens.
Updated
at 3.54pm GMT
3.29pm GMT
15:29
The Press Association has just filed this:
Prime minister Theresa May has ordered foreign secretary Boris Johnson and home secretary Amber Rudd to telephone their American counterparts to make representations about the US travel ban, Downing Street has said.
3.28pm GMT
15:28
According to the Guardian’s political editor Anushka Asthana, Ruth Davidson, the Scottish Tory leader, has added her voice to calls for Trump’s state visit to the UK to be cancelled.
State visits are designed for both the host, and the head of state who is being hosted, to celebrate and entrench the friendships and shared values between their respective countries.
A state visit from the current president of the United States could not possibly occur in the best traditions of the enterprise while a cruel and divisive policy which discriminates against citizens of the host nation is in place.
I hope President Trump immediately reconsiders his Muslim ban.
Updated
at 3.48pm GMT
3.23pm GMT
15:23
The scale of opposition to Trump’s travel plan in the UK continues to grow. A petition to cancel a state visit by the US president, planned for later this year, had a couple of hundred signatures this morning. It now stands at over 300,000.
3.12pm GMT
15:12
Trump has tweeted again citing the deaths of Christians in the Middle East as justification for his travel ban.
Christians in the Middle-East have been executed in large numbers. We cannot allow this horror to continue!
Updated
at 3.49pm GMT
3.02pm GMT
15:02
Priebus went on to say: “Perhaps we need to take it further.”
Updated
at 3.49pm GMT