Presumptive Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Monday called for a ban on immigrants from countries “where there is a proven history of terrorism”, following the mass shooting in Orlando that killed 49 people. “When I'm elected, I will suspend immigration from areas of the world where there is a proven history of terrorism against the United States, Europe or our allies until we fully understand how to end these threats,” Trump said.

The shooter at the gay nightclub in Orlando, Omar Mateen, had reportedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State before he was killed by police, but officials say there is no evidence linking him to the terror outfit.

Trump had earlier called for a ban on all Muslims entering the United States, and reiterated his stand on Monday. He also questioned President Barack Obama, and claimed that some Muslims in the US turn a blind eye to terrorism.

The presumptive Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton has warned that demonising Muslims would only benefit extremist groups, and called on Americans to “stand together” to defeat terrorism.