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Trump's Revised Muslim Ban Again Blocked by Federal Judge
While federal judges in Maryland and Washington handle cases challenging what has been termed "Muslim Ban 2," a federal judge in Hawaii has issued a nationwide temporary restraining order. The ban was set to take effect at midnight on Thursday March 16th (the evening of the 15th).
U.S. District Court Judge Derrick K. Watson has issued a nationwide temporary restraining order, preventing President Trump's revised travel ban from taking effect at midnight Wednesday. Trump's executive order would have temporarily halted the U.S. refugee program and travel from six Muslim-majority countries.
Department of Justice attorneys had argued that the ban was necessary to protect the nation's security and that it had been revised to address legal concerns. State attorneys general and immigrant rights activists argued the travel ban amounted to an unconstitutional Muslim ban.
The judge concluded, based on the historical context of the travel ban and public statements made by the president, that "a reasonable, objective observer ... would conclude that the Executive Order was issued with a purpose to disfavor a particular religion[.]"
Photo Credit: CNN