HIAS Statement on Temporary Blocking of President Trump’s Executive Order

WASHINGTON—On Friday, February 3, Judge James Robart, of the Federal District Court for the Western District of Washington, issued a ruling temporarily blocking President Trump’s refugee ban. In response to the ruling, HIAS CEO and President Mark Hetfield issued the following statement:

“President Trump's ban against refugees and Muslims was not only un-American, but Judge Robart found it to be unconstitutional. Thanks to Judge Robart's order protecting the Constitution, thousands of refugees who were bound for the U.S. can finally find protection—and a warm welcome—here. But this won't be the end of our fight to keep America's door open to refugees.

“We expect refugees of all nationalities to start arriving again soon. We have been communicating with the Department of State Bureau of Population Refugees and Migration, who oversees the Refugee Admission Program, as well as our affiliates across the country who are resuming preparation to receive refugee clients.”

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