Leaders of the Koch network on Sunday criticized President Trump's executive order barring refugees and people from seven majority-Muslim countries from entering the U.S.

"We believe it is possible to keep Americans safe without excluding people who wish to come here to contribute and pursue a better life for their families," said Brian Hooks, the president of the Charles Koch Foundation, who is co-chairing a weekend conference of donors who help finance the Koch operation, according to The Washington Post.

“The travel ban is the wrong approach and will likely be counterproductive.”

Hooks said the country has benefited from "a history of welcoming people from all cultures and backgrounds."

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"This is a hallmark of free and open societies," he said.

Charles Koch last year spoke out against Trump's proposed Muslim ban, calling it "antithetical to our approach." He said the idea to require Muslims to register was "reminiscent of Nazi Germany."

A top GOP fundraiser, Koch and many of his top donors refused to support Trump during the campaign.

The president on Friday signed an executive order that bars Syrian refugees indefinitely and halts the country's refugee resettlement program for four months. It also denies entry for 90 days to people from seven majority-Muslim countries: Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan and Libya.