White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus confirmed Sunday that the executive order signed by President Trump banning travelers from 7 terror-linked countries does not include green card holders.
Trump’s executive order was straight forward: immigrants from terror-linked countries Iran, Syria, Iraq, Somalia, Libya, Sudan and Yemen were banned from traveling to the U.S. for 120 days.
TSA agents caused mass confusion on Saturday when they unnecessarily detained and deported hundreds of green card and work visa holders traveling from countries, such as Dubai which is not on the ban list.
In an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press, Priebus confirmed the order “doesn’t include green card holders going forward” but he added that green card holders traveling “back and forth” to terrorist-linked countries would raise suspicion.
This is welcoming news because it means people born in Muslim countries who are legal permanent residents of the U.S. can travel outside the U.S. without fear of being deported when they return.
Priebus denied Homeland Security claims that Trump overruled them regarding deportation of green card holders.
“We didn’t overrule the Department of Homeland Security, as far as green card holders moving forward, it doesn’t affect them,” Priebus said. But when pressed by host Chuck Todd on whether it impacts green card holders, Priebus clarified, saying, “If you’re traveling back and forth, you’re going to be subjected to further screening.”
Late Saturday, a federal judge who was appointed by former President Obama temporarily blocked the deportation of green card holders and visa holders at airports around the country.
