White House remains opposed to travel ban

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is reaffirming its opposition to a travel ban that would stop people from coming to the United States from West Africa.

Among those now calling for such a ban is Texas Gov. Rick Perry. He also says he has asked President Barack Obama to have Ebola cases sent quickly to facilities that are better able to deal with the disease.

A man from West Africa died of Ebola at a Dallas hospital, and two nurses involved in his care became infected.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest says, “At this point, if our core priority is protecting the American public, then we’re not going to put in place a travel ban.”

Obama said yesterday that he is “not philosophically opposed” to a travel ban from the Ebola-afflicted region of West Africa “if that is the thing that is going to keep the American people safe.” But he said such a measure could be counterproductive.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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