A federal judge in Seattle Friday struck down a week-old executive order that barred all refugees and travelers from seven Muslim-majority nations from entering the United States — a dramatic move that set the stage for a contentious battle between President Trump and the courts.
The ruling by Judge James Robart, a George W. Bush appointee, nixed Trump’s order and ruled that travel restrictions across the country should be lifted immediately.
“The state has met its burden in demonstrating immediate and irreparable injury,” Robart said.
The judge said Trump’s ban was lifted “on a nationwide basis.”
“The Constitution prevailed today,” said Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson, who represented the state in a lawsuit against the order. “No one is above the law — not even the president.”
The US Customs and Border Protection swiftly moved to honor all visas invalidated by the ban, opening the doors to travelers around the world on Friday.
The White House quickly struck back, issuing a statement that said the Justice Department would file an emergency stay of this “outrageous” order.
“The president’s order is intended to protect the homeland and he has the constitutional authority and responsibility to protect the American people,” the statement said.
This article initially appeared in The New York Post.
