A federal judge has blocked the government from deporting citizens detained at U.S. airports as a result of President Trump’s executive order to ban those coming in from seven Muslim countries.
U.S. District Court Judge Ann Donnelly presided over an emergency hearing in Brooklyn, New York Saturday night, issued the block over the government’s objection, acting on the legal challenge of several immigrant rights’ groups, according to The Hill.
The ruling does not ensure that those detained will be released, but it does keep them from deportation, at least for the time being.
Cecillia Wang, Deputy Legal Director, National ACLU and immigrants’ rights advocate tweeted that respondents are “restrained from, in any manner or by any means, removing individuals with refugee applications approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services as part of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, holders of valid immigrant and non-immigrant visas, and other individuals from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen legally authorized to enter the United States.”
Stay of the Trump order by US court in Brooklyn pic.twitter.com/EAPzYqMAwF
— Cecillia Wang 王德棻 (@WangCecillia) January 29, 2017
It is estimated that 100-200 travelers from “Muslim-majority” countries are being held at various airports around the U.S. due to the order that the White House is labeling an anti-terrorism measure to “keep America safe.”
Meanwhile, protests are erupting at airports across the country…
Airport protests at #JFK, #LAX, #SFO, Dulles, O'Hare and growing. #NoMuslimBan #NoBanNoWall #RefugeesWelcome #ResistOften pic.twitter.com/OZZ9dexGXo
— Mike Hudema (@MikeHudema) January 28, 2017
And MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough of “Morning Joe” took to twitter to say:
“Courts may be more reluctant to overturn the entire order on religious test grounds since it doesn’t impact 45 majority Muslim countries. … However, the section of the Trump order granting preference to Christian refugees will certainly face serious legal challenges. … Only a fool would bet against the US Constitution.”
Courts may be more reluctant to overturn the entire order on religious test grounds since it doesn't impact 45 majority Muslim countries 1/2
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) January 29, 2017
However, the section of the Trump order granting preference to Christian refugees will certainly face serious legal challenges. 2/2 https://t.co/rP1DwB5Z1s
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) January 29, 2017