00:00Welcome back. U.S. President Donald Trump has expanded America's travel ban,
00:05adding seven more countries to a list whose citizens are now barred from entering the U.S.
00:10The White House says the move is aimed at national security and public safety,
00:15as the administration sharply tightens immigration controls.
00:21Trump signed the proclamation on Tuesday, imposing a full travel ban on citizens from Burkina Faso,
00:27Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Syria, as well as those holding Palestinian Authority-issued travel documents.
00:35Laos and Sierra Leone, which were previously under partial restrictions, have also been moved to the full ban list.
00:42The measures will take effect on January 1, with the White House citing persistent failures in screening,
00:48vetting and information sharing by the affected countries.
00:51Officials said the restrictions apply to both immigrants and non-immigrants,
00:55including tourists, students and business travellers.
00:59The decision comes despite Trump's recent remarks supporting Syria's new leadership,
01:04following talks last month with President Ahmed al-Shahra,
01:07a former rebel leader seeking to reintegrate the country into the international community.
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