Demonstrations both for and against President Trump’s immigration restrictions are scheduled to go on as planned at LAX today, even though enforcement of the policy has been suspended by the
Department of Homeland Security in the wake of a federal judge’s ruling.
Trump’s executive order, which banned indefinitely all refugees from
Syria entering the United States, blocked all refugee admissions for 120 days,
and also stopped all refugee and non-refugee entries from Iran, Iraq, Libya,
Somalia, Sudan, Yemen and Syria for 90 days.
Judge James Hobart, a federal judge based in Washington state, halted
enforcement of the order in a ruling issued Friday night. The DHS said today it
has suspended all efforts to enforce the order and has resumed previously
established screening procedures.
“In accordance with the judge’s ruling, DHS has suspended any and all
actions implementing the affected sections of the Executive Order…” said
Gillian M. Christensen, acting press secretary for the DHS. “This includes
actions to suspend passenger system rules that flag travelers for operational
action subject to the Executive Order.
“DHS personnel will resume inspection of travelers in accordance with
standard policy and procedure. At the earliest possible time, the Department of
Justice intends to file an emergency stay of this order and defend the
President’s Executive Order, which is lawful and appropriate. The Order is
intended to protect the homeland and the American people, and the President has
no higher duty and responsibility than to do so.”
A number of civil liberties and immigrant rights groups are expected to
protest the ban in demonstrations that were organized before Hobart’s ruling.
Protesters are scheduled to rally against the policy from 11 a.m. to 2
p.m. at Tom Bradley International Terminal.
Meanwhile, pro-ban demonstrators from the San Fernando Valley
Celebration Group will show their support for the policy from noon to 1 p.m.,
also at Bradley International Terminal.
Trump has said the restrictions are meant to more thoroughly vet
immigrants from countries that have a large organized terror presence.
Opponents have criticized the order as confusing, punitive and un-American.
LAX spokesman Charles Pannunzio said airport officials would be
monitoring the size of the crowds today to ensure smooth operations for
travelers.
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