US Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has said that he would enact “extreme vetting” of immigrants.
In a speech in Ohio, the candidate outlined his plans to combat Islamic extremism, including a new screening test for arrivals to the US.
Applicants will be tested to determine if they share Western liberal values, such as religious tolerance.
Citizens from some countries will not be issued visas but it is not clear which nations will be banned.
The hotel developer also pledged to work with any nations willing to help the US defeat the so-called Islamic State (IS).
The billionaire has revised his plan throughout his campaign, after initially proposing a blanket ban on all Muslims in December 2015.
Trump’s plan to beat IS
- Ban immigration from countries where terrorism is widespread and vetting is poor
- Make alliances with all countries fighting against terrorism
- Require an ideology test for new immigrants arriving to the US
After a shooting at a nightclub in Orlando, Florida, Mr Trump said he would temporarily ban immigration from countries with a previous history of terrorism against the US and other western countries.
The latest proposal includes creating an ideological test for immigrants entering the country, with questions addressing how each applicant views American values such as religious freedom, gender equality and gay rights.
Mr Trump also welcomed alliances from any country that shares the mission to destroy “radical Islamic terrorism,” regardless of other ideological beliefs.
Mr Trump is still facing a backlash for repeatedly describing President Barack Obama and his Democratic rival for the White House, Hillary Clinton, as “founders” of Islamic State.
When pressed by Fox News whether he meant that in the literal sense, he said he did. Then he backtracked and announced it had been sarcasm. Then he again changed his stance on Friday morning and said he had not been “that sarcastic”.
The Republican candidate has been critical of the media’s coverage of his campaign, saying the press does not provide enough coverage of his policy proposals.
Last week, Mr Trump outlined his economic agenda in a speech.
However, the economic plan was quickly overshadowed by real estate mogul’s claim that President Barack Obama had “founded” IS.
Recent polls show him significantly trailing Hillary Clinton in key battleground states. BBC
