Government to Appeal HIAS Challenge to Trump’s Muslim Ban

GREENBELT, Md.—The Trump Administration filed paperwork today with the U.S. District Court in Maryland’s Southern Division indicating its intention to appeal the court’s decision, issued Thursday, ordering a preliminary injunction against the executive order. HIAS is a plaintiff in the case, along with IRAP, MESA and several individuals.

“The American tradition of welcoming refugees has been preserved thanks to judicial intervention just hours before the latest refugee and Muslim ban was to go into effect. Two federal judges have now thwarted President Trump's second attempt at an unconstitutional travel ban aimed at Muslims,” said HIAS President and CEO Mark Hetfield. 

“As the world’s oldest refugee resettlement agency, HIAS is prepared to remain true to American and Jewish values by pursuing this legal challenge as long as necessary to protect the American tradition of welcoming the vulnerable and persecuted,” Hetfield said.