Newly inaugurated President Trump is reportedly moving quickly to fulfill one of the more controversial promises he made during the campaign: to restrict immigration from Muslim countries.
Reuters reports several congressional aides and immigration experts have confirmed that Trump is expected to sign into law executive orders that would restrict such immigration on Wednesday.
They report the following countries on the expected list of restricted nations: Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Refugees and VISA holders from these countries will have their access to the United States barred or restricted by the orders.
Trump's policy was at first called a ban on Muslim immigration, but was later refined into a ban on immigrants from Muslim countries. This has not impeded the criticism and scrutiny the policy has fallen under by detractors who call it "racist" and even compare it to acts committed by Hitler in Germany.
More recently, Trump's pick for Ambassadorship to the United Nations Nikki Haley testified that the administration and she personally were opposed to banning anyone from immigration on account of their religious beliefs. Senator Jeff Sessions, Trump's pick for Attorney General, also said he did not support a Muslim ban during his confirmation hearing.
Ed note:This article has been updated to reflect a correction in the expected date by Reuters from Thursday to Wednesday.