NPR｜Tru.mp issues new travel ban covering 12 countries

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:When President Trump signed a travel ban eight years ago, it was one of his signature moves and it caused nationwide convulsions. 

LEILA FADEL, HOST:Yeah, Trump had explicitly promised to ban Muslims from the country and he had to change the ban several times to get it past the courts. This time around, the president's new travel ban is just one of several controversial moves he made on a particular Wednesday in June. 

INSKEEP: NPR White House correspondent Franco Ordonez covered the first Trump term and is covering the second and is with us once again. Franco, good morning. 

Franco Ordonez: Good morning, Steve. 

INSKEEP: What did the president sign this time? 

Ordonez: Yeah, Trump signed an order that will completely stop the travel to the U.S. by the citizens of 12 countries. Now, they include Afghanistan, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. 

Citizens from seven other countries will be subject to partial bans. They include Cuba, Sierra Leone and Venezuela. All this goes into effect on Monday. 

INSKEEP: What was the justification? 

Ordonez: Well, the justification for such a sweeping ban was that the White House, at least, says the action was needed to protect the U.S. from terrorist attacks and that these countries lacked the right vetting capabilities. 

In a video statement, Trump actually cited the firebombing attack in Boulder, Colorado, as an example of why this was necessary.

Trump: In the 21st century, we've seen one terror attack after another carried out by foreign visa overstayers from dangerous places all over the world. 

Ordonez: Now, Steve, I do want to note that that man charged with that attack is actually from Egypt, which is not among the countries listed in the travel ban. 

INSKEEP: OK, I am just remembering eight years ago, this happened very early in the administration. It happened rather abruptly. There was chaos at airports. There were immediate lawsuits. What is the response been this time?

Ordonez: Yeah, I will say advocates were ready and they were waiting for this to come. already taking action now that it's here, they acknowledge that while the Trump administration did make some exceptions such as carving out an exception for Afghans who worked for the U.S. government during the war in Afghanistan. 

There are still tens of thousands of Afghans, especially FAMI members, who will not be allowed to enter the U.S. under the new ban.

INSKEEP: I'm glad you're with us because you were around for this last time. How did the first round of travel bans work out? 

Ordonez: Yeah, you kind of mentioned it. I mean, it was very, very controversial because of the backstory of that first travel ban. You talked about the mayhem. I mean, during Trump's first campaign for the presidency, Trump called for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States. 

As you noted, there was all the chaos at the airports. And also, you know, our listeners will remember all the protests as well. The ban did face legal challenges and was blocked by the court. But Trump made all sorts of revisions. 

And eventually the Supreme Court did approve the third iteration of the ban. President Biden rescinded it, though, on his first day in office. Now it's back, 

INSKEEP: And it's a little bit more expansive, apparently, than the last time. This is not the only thing the president did yesterday. He escalated his fight with Harvard University. In what way? 

Ordonez: Yeah, he signed another proclamation to suspend visas for new international students at Harvard. The White House says it's a move to, quote, safeguard national security. 

Now, it's unclear, though, what force this order will actually have, because last week a federal judge ordered the administration not to make any changes to Harvard's student visa program. I do think it's safe, Steve, to say this proclamation will be upheld. 

INSKEEP: NPR's Franco Ordonez, thanks for the insights. Really appreciate it. 
Ordonez: Thank you, Steve.

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