Trump announces new travel ban citing security concerns

(CNN)- President Donald Trump is imposing a new travel ban on nationals from a dozen countries, citing national security concerns and the difficulty of properly vetting visitors from those regions. The restrictions will take effect Monday.

“We will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm,” Trump said while unveiling the policy.

The countries listed in the full ban include: Afghanistan, Myanmar (also known as Burma), Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. In addition, entry will be partially restricted for individuals from seven other unnamed nations. Brad Todd, a Republican strategist, defended the move, saying, “That’s part of the role of the executive branch — to enforce the border laws of the country and to use discretion and judgment to protect the safety of Americans.”

However, the ban is drawing sharp criticism from political opponents and human rights advocates, particularly for the omission of Egypt — the home country of the suspect in Sunday’s anti-Semitic attack in Boulder, Colorado. “The list doesn’t include countries like Egypt or Saudi Arabia — where most of the 9/11 terrorists came from,” said Ana Navarro, former national co-chair of John McCain’s Hispanic Advisory Council. “It seems to me like he cherry-picked which brown people he wanted to exclude.”

A White House official confirmed that the President made the final decision on the list after the Colorado incident. The ban exempts lawful permanent residents, current visa holders, and some visa categories. Exceptions will also be granted if the administration determines it’s in the interest of the United States.

Former Obama adviser David Axelrod acknowledged the administration’s authority to regulate entry but questioned the long-term implications. “They do have a responsibility to act responsibly in terms of who comes into the country, but we’ll see where this all shakes out,” he said.