Canada’s immigration minister says his country will offer temporary residency to those stranded by the US immigration ban imposed by President Donald Trump.
"Every country has the right to determine their policies. I can only tell you that we will continue our long-standing tradition of being open to those who seek sanctuary," Ahmed Hussen said on Sunday.
Hussen, who was born in Somalia, one of the countries on Trump’s 90-day travel ban list, added that Canada would extend temporary residency of those affected as well.
His comments come after the US president signed an executive order on immigration and banned thousands of people from entering America.
Hussen also stated that Canada will not raise the number of refugees it plans to accept in response to the Trump ban, in spite of widespread rumors after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcomed refuges to Canada.
On Saturday afternoon, Trudeau tweeted, "To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada."
The new Republican president’s order imposes a 90-day ban on entry from citizens of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Libya and Somalia, blocks refugees from Syria indefinitely, and suspends all refugee admissions for 120 days.
Trump's sweeping ban sparked confusion and anger at major US airports this weekend after border agents began detaining refugees and immigrants who arrived in the country.
In a statement on Sunday, Trump claimed his executive order banning people from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the US “is not about religion.”
"America is a proud nation of immigrants and we will continue to show compassion to those feeling oppression, but we will do so while protecting our own citizens and border," he said. "We will keep it free and keep it safe, as the media knows, but refuses to say."
Trump rejected criticism suggesting his executive order amounts to the "Muslim ban" he proposed as a presidential candidate.