Federal judge in Hawaii issues restraining order against travel ban 2.0

We've been following on this blog the ongoing saga of President Trump's immigration order, particularly the legal challenges leveled against the so-called travel ban. As we previously noted, the revised travel ban--which only applies to new visa applicants and removes Syria from the listed of countries subject to the travel ban--was quickly challenged in court by the attorney general of Hawaii.

Hawaii's legal challenge against the revised travel ban was successful, as readers may have heard.  The federal judge in Hawaii issued a restraining order against the measure, citing the First Amendment protection against discrimination on the basis of religion as grounds. As support for that conclusion, the judge cited allegations that Trump called for a Muslim ban during his campaign. 

In addition to the temporary restraining order against the travel ban, the federal judge more recently rejected a Department of Justice request to provide clarification on the decision. The department had filed a motion to limit the restraining order to only the portion of the order prohibiting the entrance of immigrants from the six selected countries, arguing that the judge's decision did not address the entirety of the executive order.

The case could still be appealed, though it's hard to imagine at this point that the effort would go well for the Trump administration, given the serious opposition the so-called travel ban has faced from the courts thus far. Perhaps there will be another attempt to fashion an acceptable order, perhaps not. Whatever the case may be, now is certainly a critical time for refugees to work with experienced legal counsel to protect their rights and to help ensure they do not become casualties of the current atmosphere surrounding immigration.

Sources:

Washington Examiner, "Hawaii judge denies Trump administration request to alter travel ban injunction," Daniel Chaitin, March 19, 2017.

The Blaze, "Breaking: Hawaii Judge slaps nationwide restraining order on Trump's re-written travel ban," Carlos Garcia, March 15, 2017.