HIAS Statement on Temporary Restraining Order of Refugee Ban

WASHINGTON—Today, a federal judge in Hawaii issued a temporary restraining order on President Trump's revised Executive Order, just hours before it was scheduled to go into effect.

This ruling was the first to deal with the provision of the order lowering the number of refugee admissions for Fiscal Year 2017 from 110,000 to 50,000. It also enjoins the “pause” of the refugee program advocated by the Trump administration.

In response, HIAS President and CEO Mark Hetfield issued the following statement:

"Tonight's ruling will save lives. Rather than slamming the United States' doors on those seeking safe haven, the rule of law, and this country's legacy of welcome, prevailed. While this is a temporary measure, we are pleased that the court has recognized the irreparable harm done to refugees who are prevented from finding safety in this country, as well as to their families here in the U.S. who seek to be reunited with them."

“This ruling also recognizes that the unconstitutional religious discrimination that invalidated the last order still plagues the revised version. As a Jewish organization that serves people of all faiths, we had grave concerns about the government’s attempt to impose a lightly edited Muslim ban. Such religious discrimination has no place in America, as the court has rightly recognized.”

HIAS is also an organizational plaintiff in a case heard earlier today in federal court in Maryland. The organizations and individuals who brought that case are awaiting a ruling from the U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang on that challenge.

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