A top official from the White House appeared to signal a reversal of one of the key executive orders on immigration issued by President Donald Trump on Sunday, saying that individuals from countries hit with an immigration ban who already hold green cards will still be able to come back to the US.
The White House chief of staff, Reince Priebus, also added that border agents possessed ‘discretionary authority’ to hold and question travelers from countries that they deemed to be suspicious. The statement added to the uncertainty generated by exactly how Trump’s executive order is set to be interpreted and enacted in the coming days. The order was still being enforced despite the statement, resulting in much travel disruption around the world.
American airports and public spaces saw protesters gathering for the second day, in the midst of confusion as to whether federal officials were complying fully with court orders to block some immigrants from being immediately deported and insisting that legal aid is given to those being held in detention. Part of Trump’s executive orders included special treatment to Christians who are trying to leave Middle Eastern countries and enter the US.
Trump says that previous administrations have treated Christians ‘horribly’, telling the Christian Broadcasting Network on Sunday that Muslims were more likely to be given entrance to the US than Christians, but that this was going to change under his administration.