Trump not adding extra countries to Muslim-ban, for now
Trump not adding extra countries to Muslim-ban, for now
A representative for the American Immigration Lawyer's Organisation fact-checked the claim and found 'no confirmation', but warned citizens to remain vigilant regardless.
2 min read
Protests against the immigration ban have been staged around the world [Nurphoto]
A rumour that nine extra countries would be added to Donald Trump's immigration order has been debunked as a hoax.
The rumour has been shared thousands of times by e-mail and social media, but fact-checking by the American Immigration Lawyer's Organisation (AILO) has found that the original source of this information is not credible.
"Contrary to rumors apparently circulating, AILA National has no confirmation of additional countries being added to the travel ban," said Benjamin Johnson, Executive Director at AILO.
"The executive order anticipates that additional countries could be added. Clearly it is impossible to guess where, when, or how the president will use this authority."
The nine countries and regions that were rumoured to be included were Egypt, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Colombia, Venezuela, southern Philippines, trans-Sahara (Mali), and Sulu/Sulawesi Seas Littoral.
According to New York immigration lawyer, Stephen Perlitsh, the information for this rumour was gathered through a "conglomeration of different information".
Perlitsh subsequently wrote an e-mail which then went viral, saying that citizens from these nine countries should reconsider travel plans abroad.
"As of now we do not know if these countries will be listed - which is as far as I know," Perlitsh told The New Arab.
"My main reason for sending this e-mail was my concern for my clients from some of these countries.
More In News
