Washington: A US judge in Seattle has issued a temporary nationwide block on President Donald Trump’s ban on travellers from seven Muslim nations, media reports said.U.S. District Judge James Robart in Seattle ruled that Washington state and Minnesota had standing to challenge Trump’s order, which government lawyers disputed, and said they showed their case was likely to succeed.
“The state has met its burden in demonstrating immediate and irreparable injury,” Robart said
The lawsuit against Trump’s ban was initially filed by Washington state, with Minnesota joining later.
Ferguson has described the ban as illegal and unconstitutional, because it discriminates against people on the ground of their religion.
The ruling is a major challenge to the Trump administration, and means that nationals from the seven countries are now able in theory to apply for US visas, the BBC said in its report.
The administration can appeal against the verdict.
Trump’s order last week sparked protests nationwide and confusion at airports as some travelers were detained. The White House has argued that it will make the country safer.
The State Department says 60,000 visas have since been revoked.
Trump’s executive order brought in a suspension of the US Refugee Admissions Programme for 120 days.
There is also an indefinite ban on Syrian refugees. Anyone arriving from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen faces a 90-day visa suspension.
Washington-based businesses Amazon, Expedia and Microsoft support the state’s efforts to stop the order. They say it’s hurting their operations, too.
Lawyers for Washington state said another hearing was expected in the next few weeks.