The United States will temporarily delay the processing of citizens from 11 “high risk” countries in the Middle East and Africa while it commences admissions of refugees from other countries, a government official said on Tuesday.
Trump’s administration will also place on hold programs that allow resettled refugees in the U.S reunite with their family. The resettling of so-called following-to-join refugees will resume, according to the memo, once screening “enhancements have been implemented”. A memo to this effect was sent to Congress on Tuesday.
Opponents of the ban accuse the administration of barring Muslims from the United States.
However, the administration has denied the accusation saying that the action was taken for the protection of the United States and its citizens against terrorist attack.
