On Friday, U.S. District Judge James L. Robart ruled to temporarily block Trump's executive order banning foreign nationals from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States. Today, government agencies clarified what that means for travelers hoping to enter the U.S.
LATEST: State Dept reverses revocation of visas that left many stranded after judge's ruling on Trump's exec. order https://t.co/sI7CfxOgGB
— CNBC (@CNBC) February 4, 2017
What are state agencies doing?
A spokesperson from the State Department said on Saturday that it had restored approximately 60,000 visas that were revoked in compliance with the president’s order. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security, which had only a day before released a statement essentially in defense of the president’s actions, made clear that it would stop flagging individuals from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen as a result of Robart’s decision.
According to the Washington Post, a spokesperson said: “We have reversed the provisional revocation of visas. Those individuals with visas that were not physically canceled may now travel if the visa is otherwise valid.”
Well then I hope this clears it up. #NoBanNoWall pic.twitter.com/aXpQLDho5N
— Linda Sarsour (@lsarsour) February 4, 2017
On Friday, Press Secretary Sean Spicer released a statement - which appears to have disappeared from the WhiteHouse.gov website - saying that the Department of Justice would attempt to uphold the executive order’s constitutionality in court at “the earliest possible time.”
Until that time, many of those with legal residence in the United States who were barred from returning from trips abroad will likely use this opportunity to return.
Trump was not happy with the actions.
President Donald Trump took to Twitter Saturday morning to blast U.S. District Judge James L. Robart.
The opinion of this so-called judge, which essentially takes law-enforcement away from our country, is ridiculous and will be overturned!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 4, 2017
When a country is no longer able to say who can, and who cannot , come in & out, especially for reasons of safety &.security - big trouble!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 4, 2017
What does Robart's ruling mean?
The ruling will trigger a legal battle over the constitutionality of the executive order, though it's not yet clear when that will take place; it will likely stay in place until that legal question can be answered definitively. However, federal agencies tasked with carrying out the order in practice have already reverted back to previous protocols before Trump’s controversial executive actions temporarily ended the U.S. refugee resettlement program and specifically prohibited Syrian refugees from entering the country indefinitely.
JUST IN: The Dept of Homeland Security says it has suspended all actions to implement Trump's immigration order https://t.co/kCvSQRNDb9
— CNN (@CNN) February 4, 2017