Justice Department Asks Appeals Court to Restore Mr. Trump’s Travel Ban

President Donald Trump on Saturday blasted the federal judge who issued a nationwide hold on the executive order temporarily barring immigrants from seven predominately Muslim countries.

“Those individuals with visas that were not physically canceled may now travel if the visa is otherwise valid”, a State Department spokesperson said Saturday.

While several state governments have objected to Mr. Trump’s January 27 executive order – which suspended immigration and refugee claims from seven Muslim-majority countries – immigration and foreign policy are federal matters, so the ban is being fought in federal courts.

The Trump administration is exploring its options after multiple courts rejected the new USA president’s blanket ban on refugees and travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries.

The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge James L. Robart – a nominee of President George W. Bush who was confirmed 99-0 in June 2004 – took effect immediately, said Washington State Solicitor General Noah Purcell during a press conference. It blocks all arrivals from seven predominantly Muslim countries, and suspends all refugee resettlements. The Trump administration is asked to respond by Monday afternoon.

However, the Trump administration argued to the contrary in their appeal over the weekend. The ban remains suspended until the case is heard.

In a series of tweets that broaden his attack on the country’s judiciary, Mr Trump is saying Americans should blame Judge Robart and the court system if anything happens.

Earlier Friday night Trump was asked about an appeal at a gala in Florida Saturday night, and the president said: “We’ll win”.

That decision effectively blocked the implementation of the travel ban, and now the Justice Department is seeking to reinstate it. “We’re going to continue to use all legal means at our disposal to stay that order and move forward to take the steps necessary to protect our country”, Pence told Fox News.

While a number of lawsuits have since been filed over Trump’s action, the Washington state lawsuit was the first to test the broad constitutionality of the executive order. The court says it will weigh in on whether to lift Robart’s ruling after it receives additional briefs from the administration and plaintiffs.

The White House pledged to swiftly appeal the federal judge’s ruling late Friday, but that didn’t appear to be enough for Trump, who vented his frustrations on Twitter. The department had said some 60,000 travel visas had been revoked in compliance with the president’s recent executive order.