WASHINGTON: US Visa ban likely to affect Pakistan and other Muslim countries, says White House Chief of staff.
White House official hinted that the ban could be extended to other countries, including Pakistan.
“You can point to other countries that have similar problems like Pakistan and others – perhaps we need to take it further,” White House chief of staff Reince Priebus told CBS News.
“But for now, immediate steps, pulling the Band-Aid off, is to do further vetting for people traveling in and out of those countries.”
In the most sweeping use of his presidential powers since taking office a week ago, Trump signed an executive order on Friday to pause the entry of travellers from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for at least 90 days.
The travel curbs began immediately, causing confusion for would-be travellers with passports from the seven countries.
Defending the US president widely denounced order, Priebus said: “This is not a Muslim ban.”
He said Trump has solely identified countries where terrorism is taking place and could lead to danger in the US.