Trump framed the new restrictions, which primarily target African and Asian countries, as necessary to fortify national security and combat terrorism.

The effort comes as the president has pursued extraordinary measures to curtail legal and illegal immigration.

President Trump said Thursday that his travel ban against people from 12 mostly African and Middle Eastern countries aimed to block terrorism and target those who overstay U.S. visas. But his list is rife with contradictions and includes countries that are home to few people who overstay,