Igor Kossov

Special for USA TODAY

IRBIL, Iraq — President Trump's original travel ban upended Halan Shekha's plan to study for a master's degree in the United States. On Monday, the translator, 24, was relieved to learn that Iraq has been removed from the temporary restrictions.

"I think it's a little bit better but still, not all Muslims are terrorists," Shekha said of Trump's revised executive order that maintains limits on visits by citizens from six other majority-Muslim nations. "I hate terror and (am) trying my best with my religion and culture to end terrorism."

Shekha, who is an Iraqi Kurd with a bachelor's degree in English, said Trump's Jan. 27 order "ruined my dreams to study in America."

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Iraq, which is working closely with the U.S. military to defeat the Islamic State, was removed from the order after agreeing to increase cooperation with the U.S. government on vetting citizens applying for a travel visa, according to the fact sheet released by the Trump administration.

The 90-day ban that goes into effect March 16 is limited to citizens of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Sudan and Yemen.

"I still want to get my master's and live there for a while to show Americans we are peaceful," Shekha said.

The new ban comes as U.S.-backed Iraqi forces battle the Islamic State in western Mosul, the militant group's last major stronghold in the country.

“Today our battle in Mosul is a battle that Iraqis are conducting on behalf of the entire world,” Iraqi Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Jamal told the Associated Press. Jamal said the new travel ban will “enhance” the partnership between the United States and Iraq against the Islamic State.

The revised ban won a stronger endorsement from Rebin Rozhbayane, 29, a captain with the Kurdish military here. "I feel good. All the Kurdish people are happy now." he said.

Rozhbayane hopes to make his first trip to the United States soon to visit a cousin, whose family has lived in Houston for 25 years, and tour the country.

"I want to visit New York City, Las Vegas and Houston," Rozhbayane said. "Maybe Washington, D.C."