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NEWARK, N.J. — President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday that prohibits all electronic door lock devices, electronic visas and electronic door unlock systems, and prohibits electronic devices and software from being imported or exported to the United States.
The order, signed by Trump on Friday afternoon, follows a similar order signed by former President Barack Obama in February that prohibited electronic devices with a wireless technology, including cell phones, from being exported to Turkey.
On Friday, Customs and Border Protection announced that it had issued visas and other forms of entry permits for more than 1.1 million foreign nationals.
The new order directs officials to issue visas to those in the U.S. who meet the criteria for visa exempt status and who do not currently possess a visa to enter the country.
It also requires agencies to issue an emergency permit for entry for those who have previously been denied visas.
A total of 4.4 million visas have been issued, according to CBP, with another 1.5 million coming through the State Department.
The order also allows the State Departments office for international migration to issue temporary visas for up to 180 days for nationals of countries with an exemption to the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETAA), which is intended to allow U.K. citizens and permanent residents to enter without a visa.
The ETAA, however, does not provide for electronic devices or software, nor does it allow electronic devices to be brought into the U.
“The president also signed an order to prohibit all electronic devices from entering the United State, and electronic devices must be installed on the same level as their non-electronic counterparts.”
We will take the lead in ensuring that we have a strong and robust electronic system in place to ensure that people are not put at risk,” the White House said in a statement.
The State Department has said the ETA is designed to make it easier for Americans to travel to the U, but some worry that the move could be used to tighten the borders.
Trump said in January that he was planning to create an electronic visa system for all foreign nationals who seek entry into the United U.
