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Donald Trump refugee ban: 'arrivals from targeted countries stopped at US airports' – live Donald Trump anti-refugee order: 'green-card holders included in ban' – live
(35 minutes later)
3.25pm GMT
15:25
Jamie Grierson
Mike Pence sent this tweet on 8 December 2015, 32 weeks before he formally won the vice presidential nomination.
Calls to ban Muslims from entering the U.S. are offensive and unconstitutional.
3.19pm GMT
15:19
Green-card holders will be hit by Trump ban - Homeland Security
Jamie Grierson
People holding so-called green cards, making them legal permanent US residents, are included in President Donald Trump’s executive action temporarily banning people from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States, the Department of Homeland security has confirmed to Reuters
“It will bar green card holders,” Gillian Christensen, acting spokeswoman for the department, reportedly said in an email.
More to follow.
Updated
at 3.30pm GMT
2.53pm GMT2.53pm GMT
14:5314:53
Jamie DowardJamie Doward
The Campaign Against Arms Trade has criticised May for signing a deal with Turkey. Andrew Smith, spokesman for the group, said:The Campaign Against Arms Trade has criticised May for signing a deal with Turkey. Andrew Smith, spokesman for the group, said:
The human rights situation in Turkey has only got worse since Erdogan came to power, particularly following the coup attempt. The crackdown has intensified, and so has the war on journalism, yet Theresa May has shown she is willing to turn a blind eye to these abuses in order to secure arms company profits.The human rights situation in Turkey has only got worse since Erdogan came to power, particularly following the coup attempt. The crackdown has intensified, and so has the war on journalism, yet Theresa May has shown she is willing to turn a blind eye to these abuses in order to secure arms company profits.
2.47pm GMT2.47pm GMT
14:4714:47
May signs £100m fighter jet deal with ErdoğanMay signs £100m fighter jet deal with Erdoğan
Jamie GriersonJamie Grierson
Theresa May and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have signed a £100m commitment to build new fighter jets, in a deal Downing Street hopes will see Britain become Turkey’s leading defence partner.Theresa May and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have signed a £100m commitment to build new fighter jets, in a deal Downing Street hopes will see Britain become Turkey’s leading defence partner.
Despite concerns about Erdoğan’s human rights record and the increasingly authoritarian tone of his government, which has locked up thousands of political dissidents and protestors, a Downing Street spokeswoman said the two issues – human rights and trade – were distinct. She said:Despite concerns about Erdoğan’s human rights record and the increasingly authoritarian tone of his government, which has locked up thousands of political dissidents and protestors, a Downing Street spokeswoman said the two issues – human rights and trade – were distinct. She said:
I think those are separate issues; Turkey is an important Nato partner, so our cooperation on both security and defence is in line with that.I think those are separate issues; Turkey is an important Nato partner, so our cooperation on both security and defence is in line with that.
The PM’s approach is quite clear: she thinks it is important and in the UK’s interests to engage with Turkey.The PM’s approach is quite clear: she thinks it is important and in the UK’s interests to engage with Turkey.
2.37pm GMT2.37pm GMT
14:3714:37
Afternoon summaryAfternoon summary
Jamie GriersonJamie Grierson
Donald Trump’s executive order banning refugees from entering the US has already taken effect.Donald Trump’s executive order banning refugees from entering the US has already taken effect.
The order places a 90-day block on entry to the US from citizens from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Libya and as well as indefinitely suspending admission of Syrian refugees. It also caps total refugees entering the US in 2017 to 50,000, less than half the previous year’s 117,000.The order places a 90-day block on entry to the US from citizens from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Libya and as well as indefinitely suspending admission of Syrian refugees. It also caps total refugees entering the US in 2017 to 50,000, less than half the previous year’s 117,000.
The Department of Homeland Security issued a directive at 4:30pm EST ordering the Customs and Border Protection to enforce the executive order.The Department of Homeland Security issued a directive at 4:30pm EST ordering the Customs and Border Protection to enforce the executive order.
Here is what we know about the order’s impact so far:Here is what we know about the order’s impact so far:
A legal challenge has been filed against the order by lawyers representing two Iraqi refugees detained at JFK airport.A legal challenge has been filed against the order by lawyers representing two Iraqi refugees detained at JFK airport.
The complaints are said to have been filed in conjunction with the American Civil Liberties Union, the International Refugee Assistance Project at the Urban Justice Centre, the National Immigration Law Centre, the Jerome N. Frank Legal Services Organisation and the law firm Kilpatrick, Townsend and Stockton.The complaints are said to have been filed in conjunction with the American Civil Liberties Union, the International Refugee Assistance Project at the Urban Justice Centre, the National Immigration Law Centre, the Jerome N. Frank Legal Services Organisation and the law firm Kilpatrick, Townsend and Stockton.
Cairo airport officials reportedly confirmed seven US-bound migrants, six from Iraq and one from Yemen, were prevented from boarding an EgyptAir flight to New York’s JFK airport.Cairo airport officials reportedly confirmed seven US-bound migrants, six from Iraq and one from Yemen, were prevented from boarding an EgyptAir flight to New York’s JFK airport.
The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) urged Iranian green-card holders [those granted permanent residence] not leave the country until further clarity is achieved.The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) urged Iranian green-card holders [those granted permanent residence] not leave the country until further clarity is achieved.
Google has reportedly recalled around 100 staff back to the US, although they would not confirm or deny the reports.Google has reportedly recalled around 100 staff back to the US, although they would not confirm or deny the reports.
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) said it had received reports that green-card and other visa holders had been denied boarding and admission into the US at various airports, as has the Council on American-Islamic Relations.The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) said it had received reports that green-card and other visa holders had been denied boarding and admission into the US at various airports, as has the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
US immigration attorneys with clients from the affected countries are advising them to cancel any plans to travel abroad if they are currently in the US.US immigration attorneys with clients from the affected countries are advising them to cancel any plans to travel abroad if they are currently in the US.
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.44pm GMTat 2.44pm GMT
1.55pm GMT1.55pm GMT
13:5513:55
The International Refugee Assistance Project, one of the organisations involved in a legal challenge against Trump’s executive order banning refugees from certain countries, has said the policy is “irresponsible and dangerous”.The International Refugee Assistance Project, one of the organisations involved in a legal challenge against Trump’s executive order banning refugees from certain countries, has said the policy is “irresponsible and dangerous”.
The organisation said in a statement: “Denying thousands of the most persecuted refugees the chance to reach safety is an irresponsible and dangerous move that undermines American values and imperils our foreign relations and national security.The organisation said in a statement: “Denying thousands of the most persecuted refugees the chance to reach safety is an irresponsible and dangerous move that undermines American values and imperils our foreign relations and national security.
“IRAP works with hundreds of the most vulnerable refugees – children with medical emergencies, survivors of gender-based violence and torture, and Afghan and Iraqi allies to U.S. forces, to name a few – who will be left in immediate life-threatening danger.“IRAP works with hundreds of the most vulnerable refugees – children with medical emergencies, survivors of gender-based violence and torture, and Afghan and Iraqi allies to U.S. forces, to name a few – who will be left in immediate life-threatening danger.
“For many of them, resettlement in the United States is their only option to live safely and with dignity.”“For many of them, resettlement in the United States is their only option to live safely and with dignity.”
Yousif Al-Timimi, a Case Worker at IRAP and former IRAP client who had to flee Iraq in 2013 because of his service to the US government, said: “Those who helped the U.S. mission in Iraq are thankful to be here in the United States as refugees or through the Special Immigrant Visa program; however, for them, the fear is not over.Yousif Al-Timimi, a Case Worker at IRAP and former IRAP client who had to flee Iraq in 2013 because of his service to the US government, said: “Those who helped the U.S. mission in Iraq are thankful to be here in the United States as refugees or through the Special Immigrant Visa program; however, for them, the fear is not over.
“Their families are still in Iraq where they might get hurt or killed just because they have ties to a person with a U.S. affiliation and are looked at as traitors. Many of them, like me, try to help their parents and siblings to get out of the country for safety.”“Their families are still in Iraq where they might get hurt or killed just because they have ties to a person with a U.S. affiliation and are looked at as traitors. Many of them, like me, try to help their parents and siblings to get out of the country for safety.”
1.43pm GMT1.43pm GMT
13:4313:43
Legal challenge launched against refugee banLegal challenge launched against refugee ban
A legal challenge has been filed against Donald Trump’s executive order, which imposes a three-month ban on refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries and from Syria permanently.A legal challenge has been filed against Donald Trump’s executive order, which imposes a three-month ban on refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries and from Syria permanently.
The New York Times reports that lawyers representing two Iraqi refugees detained at JFK airport filed a challenge against the measure on Saturday, demanding their clients be released and proposing a class action in a bid to represent all refugees and migrants affected.The New York Times reports that lawyers representing two Iraqi refugees detained at JFK airport filed a challenge against the measure on Saturday, demanding their clients be released and proposing a class action in a bid to represent all refugees and migrants affected.
One of the refugees detained was named as Hameed Khalid Darweesh, who is said to have worked on behalf of the US government in Iraq for 10 years. The second detained refugee, Haider Sameer Abdulkhaleq Alshawi, was reportedly travelling to New York to join his wife and young son. They had both arrived in the US on Friday night, travelling on seperate flights.One of the refugees detained was named as Hameed Khalid Darweesh, who is said to have worked on behalf of the US government in Iraq for 10 years. The second detained refugee, Haider Sameer Abdulkhaleq Alshawi, was reportedly travelling to New York to join his wife and young son. They had both arrived in the US on Friday night, travelling on seperate flights.
The complaints are said to have been filed in conjunction with the American Civil Liberties Union, the International Refugee Assistance Project at the Urban Justice Centre, the National Immigration Law Centre, the Jerome N. Frank Legal Services Organisation and the law firm Kilpatrick, Townsend and Stockton.The complaints are said to have been filed in conjunction with the American Civil Liberties Union, the International Refugee Assistance Project at the Urban Justice Centre, the National Immigration Law Centre, the Jerome N. Frank Legal Services Organisation and the law firm Kilpatrick, Townsend and Stockton.
Mark Doss, one of the lawyers representing the pair, told the paper: “These are people with valid visas and legitimate refugee claims who have already been determined by the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security to be admissible and to be allowed to enter the US and now are being unlawfully detained.”Mark Doss, one of the lawyers representing the pair, told the paper: “These are people with valid visas and legitimate refugee claims who have already been determined by the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security to be admissible and to be allowed to enter the US and now are being unlawfully detained.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.47pm GMTat 1.47pm GMT
1.23pm GMT1.23pm GMT
13:2313:23
Iraqi and Yemeni migrants barred from entryIraqi and Yemeni migrants barred from entry
Cairo airport officials reportedly told Reuters seven US-bound migrants, six from Iraq and one from Yemen, were prevented from boarding an EgyptAir flight to New York’s JFK airport.Cairo airport officials reportedly told Reuters seven US-bound migrants, six from Iraq and one from Yemen, were prevented from boarding an EgyptAir flight to New York’s JFK airport.
The officials said the action Saturday by the airport was the first since President Donald Trump imposed a three-month ban on refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries: Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen.The officials said the action Saturday by the airport was the first since President Donald Trump imposed a three-month ban on refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries: Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen.
The officials said the seven migrants, escorted by officials from the UN refugee agency, were stopped from boarding the plane after authorities at Cairo airport contacted their counterparts in JFK airport.The officials said the seven migrants, escorted by officials from the UN refugee agency, were stopped from boarding the plane after authorities at Cairo airport contacted their counterparts in JFK airport.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to brief the media.The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to brief the media.
1.07pm GMT1.07pm GMT
13:0713:07
Jamie GriersonJamie Grierson
Google would not confirm or deny reports that it has recalled staff travelling overseas back to the US.Google would not confirm or deny reports that it has recalled staff travelling overseas back to the US.
Google chief executive Sundar Pichai, in a memo to staff seen by Bloomberg News, said more than 100 company staff are affected by the order.Google chief executive Sundar Pichai, in a memo to staff seen by Bloomberg News, said more than 100 company staff are affected by the order.
The company has reportedly told these staff to get back to the US.The company has reportedly told these staff to get back to the US.
The employees in question normally work in the US but happened to be abroad when the order was made. The concern is that even if staff have valid visas, they may still be at risk if they are from one of the seven countries targeted by the order and they are outside the US when the order kicks in.The employees in question normally work in the US but happened to be abroad when the order was made. The concern is that even if staff have valid visas, they may still be at risk if they are from one of the seven countries targeted by the order and they are outside the US when the order kicks in.
Google would not comment on whether staff had been recalled. It issued this statement:Google would not comment on whether staff had been recalled. It issued this statement:
We’re concerned about the impact of this order and any proposals that could impose restrictions on Googlers and their families, or that could create barriers to bringing great talent to the US. We’ll continue to make our views on these issues known to leaders in Washington and elsewhere.We’re concerned about the impact of this order and any proposals that could impose restrictions on Googlers and their families, or that could create barriers to bringing great talent to the US. We’ll continue to make our views on these issues known to leaders in Washington and elsewhere.
12.18pm GMT12.18pm GMT
12:1812:18
Jamie GriersonJamie Grierson
The Liberal democrat leader, Tim Farron, has drawn parallels between May’s visit with Trump and her meeting with Erdogan. calling the pair “unsavoury leaders”. In a statement he said:The Liberal democrat leader, Tim Farron, has drawn parallels between May’s visit with Trump and her meeting with Erdogan. calling the pair “unsavoury leaders”. In a statement he said:
As Theresa May seeks trade deals with ever more unsavoury leaders, she ignores the simple point that the most successful countries around the world respect human rights - economies flourish in free societies.As Theresa May seeks trade deals with ever more unsavoury leaders, she ignores the simple point that the most successful countries around the world respect human rights - economies flourish in free societies.
There are tens of thousands of people in Turkish jails without fair trial who in many cases have committed no crime, other than daring to disagree with President Erdogan. Theresa May should address this as a priority in her meeting today.There are tens of thousands of people in Turkish jails without fair trial who in many cases have committed no crime, other than daring to disagree with President Erdogan. Theresa May should address this as a priority in her meeting today.
Yes, the Prime Minister should seek to promote British trade, but at this time her priority should be to secure a long-term trade deal with our European neighbours by fighting to stay in the single market.Yes, the Prime Minister should seek to promote British trade, but at this time her priority should be to secure a long-term trade deal with our European neighbours by fighting to stay in the single market.
12.15pm GMT
12:15
Jamie Grierson
Twelve nobel laureates are among thousands of signatories to a petition calling on Trump to renounce the ban on refugees and to reconsider the executive order, my colleague Saeed Kamali Dehghan says.
The petition says the executive order is discriminatory, detrimental to the national interests of the US and will tear families apart.
It has been backed by academics from the US’s most prestigious universities including several Nobel Laureates, fields medalists, National Academy members, and John Bates Clark medalists.
The petition is found here: https://notoimmigrationban.com/
Updated
at 12.59pm GMT
12.05pm GMT
12:05
Saeed Kamali Dehghan
Iranian-British Cyrus Abbasian, who works as an NHS consultant psychiatrist, said he felt discriminated against given that he has lived in the UK since aged 10. “A total ban of Iranian citizens entering US, just because they are Iranian, is not only highly prejudicial and illogical but will defeat its purpose,” he said.
“It will likely only lead to mistrust, division and alienation. It also resonates of the bad old days I thought was well behind us, when minorities were systematically blamed or scapegoated usually with tragic consequences.”
Pooya Ghoddousi, an Iranian PhD student, said “the beginning of the end even started while Obama was still in power when the discriminatory HR158 bill [about dual nationals] was passed by the congress and signed by Obama.” He was referring to measures that targeted dual nationals from Iran, as well as Iraq, Syria and Sudan. Under the 2015 measures, Iranians with dual citizenship from European countries who could previously visit the US for 90 days without a visa must since obtain one.
He said: “I want Americans to know that I do not judge them based on the actions of their government. I want them not to judge me based on the actions of mine.”
Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, Reuters’ Iran reporter, tweeted earlier this week: “I can’t visit my mum in Tehran due to #Iran’s political restrictions & now my mum can’t see my brother in US after #Trump’s executive order!”
12.05pm GMT
12:05
Visa bans drawn condemnation from Iranians
Saeed Kamali Dehghan
Visa bans on Iranians have drawn huge condemnations, with one Iranian actor, whose film is nominated for an Oscar, saying on Thursday that she would boycott the awards over the decision.
Sheyda Monshizadeh-Azar said she was horrified. “These blanket bans on all Iranians are discriminatory and will rip families apart. I am an optimistic person but today I feel defeated,” she said.
Meysam, an Iranian civil engineer, said new restrictions would mostly affect Iranian students. “Hundreds of Iranian engineers who would like to apply for various universities in the USA may have to think about other options like Canada or Australia. This rule mainly affects university graduates not so-called terrorists or black-listed politicians.”
Iranian-Americans say they are among the US’s most successful immigrant groups, with many Iranians having held senior positions at various organisations from Nasa to Apple, eBay (whose founder is Iranian), Dropbox and Facebook.
Updated
at 12.23pm GMT
11.37am GMT
11:37
Jamie Doward
The ban has already made some people reconsider their plans.
Mohammad Saghafi, an undergraduate electric engineering student in Tehran Azad University, told the Khaleej Times that he was thinking twice about trying to pursue further education in the US because of the ban.
“I may continue my education in Canada or Germany,” he said. “Their leaders do not react like teenagers, at least.”
In the days before the order was issued, the Director of CAIR, Nihad Awad, tweeted: “These EOs (executive orders) will not make our nation safer, rather they will make it more fearful and less welcoming.”
The council said that it would hold a news conference on Monday to announce the filing of a federal lawsuit on behalf of more than 20 individuals challenging what it called the “Muslim ban”.
Hooper said it appeared that border officials had been anticipating the order for several days.
We had been getting reports of people being turned away after landing days before the order (was issued). We don’t know what’s going on it’s just a great state of confusion and apprehension. It’s going to be the Wild West out there. People are taking it upon themselves to carry out the indiscrimination that’s in this order.
11.36am GMT
11:36
Jamie Doward
There were reports that some border officials were confused about their new instructions and unhappy about what was being asked of them.
Ibrahim Hooper, communications director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) told the Guardian:
I got a report of somebody who had just returned and had been pulled aside at the airport and was being detained and they were saying the agents don’t know what to do with them. We’re mainly starting to get questions from people, who have green cards and who are overseas and are returning now, about whether they are going to be allowed back into the country. We’re getting questions from young people who are going to go on ummas -lesser pilgrimages- in a group. They’re American citizens and they’re wondering should they go, should they postpone? I personally got a call from someone who has a green card and is overseas and had just booked the first flight they could get. They were actually on their way back trying to make it back home to their American citizen husband and children, not knowing when they land whether they will be allowed into the country. That’s what we’re getting right now.
11.35am GMT
11:35
Jamie Doward
One notable casualty of the new order appeared to be the Iranian film director Asghar Farhadi who is nominated for an Oscar in the best foreign language film. Farhadi said he was concerned that he would no longer be able to enter the US for the ceremony as a result of the order.
Trita Parsi, president of NIAC, tweeted:
Confirmed: Iran's Asghar Farhadi won't be let into the US to attend Oscar's. He's nominated for best foreign language film...#MuslimBan
NIAC said it had learned that a daughter of a greencard holding Iranian family living in the US had been removed from her plane bound for the US from Dubai.
After five hours of questioning she was allowed by Dubai officials to board another flight to the US.
Later, Parsi reported on Twitter that he had learned of “another Iranian student with multiple entry visa who was denied entry as she returned to the US from from Europe.”
Parsi said it appeared that US border officials were deciding on whether green card holders could re-enter the US on a “case by case” basis which involved asking individuals about their political views.
11.33am GMT
11:33
Jamie Doward
Within hours of Trump signing the executive order banning nationals from seven countries from entering the US, human rights groups and NGOs reported that they had been inundated with calls from people concerned that they will not be able to get back into the country.
The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) described it as worse than a draft form that had been leaked earlier in the week. In a statement, the council said:
As a result, we strongly recommend Iranian green card holders not leave the country until further clarity is achieved.
Social media was alive with claims that people being denied entry to the US -even, in some cases, if they were green card holders.
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) said it had received reports that green card holders and other visa holders have been denied boarding and admission into the United States at airports.
Abed A. Ayoub, the ADC’s legal director, said on Twitter that he had received many questions from concerned members.
I have received many questions from concerned community members. I am doing my best to answer each and every one. Thnx 4 patience #MuslimBan
Ayoub tweeted that visas were being denied immediately and that there was “chaos at airports and in the air.”
“Additional reports of green card holder being stopped,” he added. “This is not a drill. It is happening.”
11.30am GMT
11:30
Heather Stewart
Guardian political editor, Heather Stewart, is in Ankara where the UK prime minister, has just been asked what she thinks about Trump’s refugee ban.
Asked what May thinks about Trump's executive order banning refugees, Downing St refers me to remarks in her Philadelphia speech (1/2)
"There may be occasions on which we disagree. But the common values and interests that bring us together are hugely powerful." May on US-UK.
11.28am GMT
11:28
Jamie Grierson
Former UK foreign secretary David Miliband has called Trump’s refugee ban a “harmful and hasty” decision.
The ex-Labour MP, who is now the president of humanitarian aid body the International Rescue Committee (IRC), said:
America must remain true to its core values. America must remain a beacon of hope.
The IRC said that the US vetting process for prospective refugees is already robust involving biometric screening and up to 36 months of vetting by “12 to 15 government agencies”.
Miliband praised America’s previous record as a resettlement destination, and added:
This is no time for America to turn its back on people ready to become patriotic Americans.
11.17am GMT
11:17
A report from Reuters, citing congressional sources and Republicans close to the White House, says Trump and his advisers are considering rescinding a signature policy of the Obama administration that shields young immigrants from deportation.
Reuters reports:
Even though Trump campaigned on a promise to roll back Obama’s executive orders on immigration, the Republican has so far left intact an order safeguarding 750,000 people who were brought to the United States illegally as children, known as the “dreamers.”
The issue has become a flashpoint for White House advisers divided between a more moderate faction such as chief of staff Reince Priebus and immigration hardliners Stephen Miller and Steve Bannon, said a former congressional aide who has been involved with immigration issues in Washington.
Priebus has said publicly that Trump will work with Congress to get a “long-term solution” on the issue.
Meanwhile, Miller and Bannon, former head of right-wing website Breitbart News, have pushed Trump to take a harder approach and rescind the protections.