Fueled by the massive airport protests around the U.S., the federal court for the Eastern District of New York has issued an unprecedented halt on deportations under the newly-elected President Donald Trump's executive order.
According to the federal court's full text on the stay, the court is ordering a prevention for the government from sending the immigrants back to their countries, adding that such act could cause them an "irreparable harm." The ban, which was issued last Friday, constitutes citizens from seven major Muslim-laden countries from entering U.S. territories for 90 days. These countries comprise of Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen and Syria. The ban is also suspending the entry of all refugees to America has been set for 120 days, effectively barring the Syrian refugees in an indefinite status.
As per Judge Ann M. Donnelly of Federal District Court in Brooklyn, the U.S. government was "enjoined and restrained from, in any manner and by any means, removing individuals" who arrived in the country with valid visas or even with refugee status.
Furthermore, it is still not ironed out whether the people in question would have to remain in detention or if they have to wait until a ruling on the constitutionality of the ban is issued. On the other hand, those people who are carrying with them their valid greencards and visas while not being in transit during that time may likely still be stuck from other countries.
Meanwhile, White House officials have announced during a briefing with reporters that the green card holders from the affected countries who are currently outside the U.S. would be subjected with a case-by-case waiver to return.
In related news, Judge Leonie M. Brinkema of Federal District Court in Virginia has issued a similar TRO (temporary restraining order) to block the removal of any green card holders who ar ebeing detained at the Dulles International Airport for a week.
