President Trump’s ‘Muslim ban’ will not adversely impact the majority of British nationals, the foreign office has confirmed.
The controversial executive order from the President has seen a number of individuals prevented from entering the United States – including some who hold Green Cards – and its application to British nationals has been shrouded in mystery.
Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah had earlier issued a statement condemning the ‘deeply troubling’ state of affairs, and it appears some of the confusion has been cleared up.
Sir Mo was born in Somalia – one of the seven countries listed in the executive order as being subject of a 90-day travel ban and rigorous checks, along with Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
Paul Gilham/Getty Images‘The only dual nationals who might have extra checks are those coming from one of the seven countries themselves – for example a UK-Libya dual national coming from Libya to the US,’ a Foreign Office statement reads.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has attempted to clarify the situation with the following point-by-point explanation:
- The Presidential executive order only applies to individuals travelling from one of the seven named countries.
- If you are travelling to the US from anywhere other than one of those countries (for instance, the UK) the executive order does not apply to you and you will experience no extra checks regardless of your nationality or your place of birth.
- If you are a UK national who happens to be travelling from one of those countries to the US, then the order does not apply to you – even if you were born in one of those countries.
- If you are a dual citizen of one of those countries travelling to the US from OUTSIDE those countries then the order does not apply to you.
Nevertheless, much of the criticism of the ban has centred on its discriminatory nature, rather than its impact on British nationals (though this has also played a part).
Protests were held in and around airports in the United States, while demonstrations are due to take place in the coming days in various cities across the United Kingdom and Europe, as well as in the US itself.
