A couple of weeks ago, President Trump issued an executive order that was a shock to everyone. Trump’s Jan. 27 order prohibited anyone carrying the nationality of seven countries with a majority Muslim population from entering the U.S. for 120 days. These seven countries are Syria, Iraq, Sudan, Iran, Libya, Somalia and Yemen. Moreover, the order bans Syrian refugees from the country indefinitely and places a ban on other refuges for a period of 120 days. The ban affects anyone with a visa, permanent residence or even a green card who is a citizen of any of the seven countries. The purpose behind Trump’s decision was to “limit terrorist attacks from these countries.”
Hundreds of thousands of Americans protested across the U.S. near airports to express disapproval of Trump’s decision. Protests also erupted within airports and custom areas. Several judges offered assistance to residents of the seven countries who were detained at U.S. airports.
Following the decision, several judges across the country refuted the decision.
“I saw this unlawful, unconstitutional and un-American ban for exactly what it is and I’m glad the court has too,” Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring said. “We presented a mountain of evidence showing this was the ‘Muslim ban’ that President Trump promised as a candidate, while his administration failed to refute one shred of our evidence or provide any of its own to support its claims.”
Leonie Brinkema, a U.S. District Judge, didn’t approve of the decision, saying that it violates U.S. Amendments one and three. She therefore prohibited enforcing the order in Virginia. James Robart, another U.S. District Judge in Seattle, suspended the execution of the order. Moreover, a judge in Seattle inhibited executing the order nationwide. Finally, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco voted against carrying out the decision.
With the current executive order currently on hold, Trump’s future intentions regarding the ban are unclear.
For photos from the Immigration Ban protest at Kansas City International Airport, click here.