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Trump travel ban: president defends order amid new lawsuit challenges – live Trump travel ban: president defends order amid new lawsuit challenges – live
(35 minutes later)
7.29pm GMT
19:29
Spicer again speaking about the travel ban.
“This is about the safety of America. This is why the majority of Americans agree with the president... these steps are frankly common sense steps to make sure we’re never looking at the rear-view mirror asking ‘we should have done something’”, says Spicer.
Does Trump have anything to say to protesters and those who the travel ban affects, a reporter asks.
“I think it’s a shame that people were inconvenienced, obviously, but at the end of the day we’re talking about a couple of hours,” says Spicer, saying he’d rather people had to wait at airports than encounter terrorism.
“Being able to come to America is a privilege, not a right,” says Spicer.
“We have to wait in lines too,” says Spicer.
When quizzed if other countries would be added to the list of seven, Spicer says: “We don’t have to look at the families of the Boston marathon, the San Bernardino, to ask if we can go further. He adds that it’s possible extra countries will be added to the list.
7.16pm GMT
19:16
Obama: 'heartened' by protests over travel ban
He’s back! A statement from Barack Obama about the mass rallies of people protesting around the country all weekend over Trump’s travel ban executive order.
Obama statement on the protests of Trump's Executive Order pic.twitter.com/EnLodhaG0T
Updated
at 7.16pm GMT
7.12pm GMT
19:12
Sean Spicer: 'I feel confident' about legal challenges over travel ban
Journalists quiz Sean Spicer about legal action being taken against Trump’s executive order.
Spicer mentions the Brooklyn federal court decision on Saturday evening, and adds: “We won’t have to prevail in that case, it doesn’t make any sense. It’s about people being deported. The process was never about that.”
Spicer says that in a 24-hour period over the weekend, 109 were stopped for additional screening out of 325,000, a number he saw as minor.
“The majority of Americans agree with the president. They recognize the steps he’s taken,” he says.
Journalists note that the Brooklyn federal court is just one of four federal court actions that have already ruled against parts of the order, but Spicer says he’s not concerned.
“I don’t think any of the others are pertaining... all of the forces and actions protecting the order are in place now... I feel confident,” says Spicer.
Updated
at 7.15pm GMT
7.06pm GMT
19:06
Spicer is asked about the travel ban affecting seven Muslim-majority countries and whether it is more extreme than any action from the Obama administration.
“We’ve going to put the safety of Americans first ... We’re not going to wait until we get attacked and figure out how it’s going to happen again,” says Spicer.
“That’s the key point in this: how do we keep ahead of threats?” adds Spicer.
“That’s what the president has done... putting America’s safety and security first and foremost,” says Spicer.
“His view is not to wait to get ahead of the curve ... we don’t know when that hour comes, we don’t know when the individual comes to do us harm.”
Updated
at 7.12pm GMT
6.58pm GMT
18:58
Spicer says this morning’s executive order about regulation will help small business. But he makes no mention of the travel ban before heading to questions from the press.
Updated
at 6.59pm GMT
6.55pm GMT
18:55
Spicer talks about how Trump is concerned about Isis and terrorism, and the “the United States must take decisive action and the president is taking the right steps.”
He mentions the calls that Trump has taken with foreign leaders, including Middle Eastern leaders, over the weekend.
“Notably he did all this in the face of supreme obstructionism from Democrats in the Senate,”, says Spicer, saying 17 nominees still await confirmation.
“These cabinet members are all unbelievably qualified and will all be confirmed by the Senate, and Democrats know this,” says Spicer.
6.50pm GMT6.50pm GMT
18:5018:50
“There’s been a lot of misreporting this week about what this memo does and does not do,” says Sean Spicer, referring to the changes made by Trump to the National Security Council, where controversial advisor Steve Bannon is now on the panel and the director of intelligence and chairman of the joint chiefs of staff will not always attend the principals committee.“There’s been a lot of misreporting this week about what this memo does and does not do,” says Sean Spicer, referring to the changes made by Trump to the National Security Council, where controversial advisor Steve Bannon is now on the panel and the director of intelligence and chairman of the joint chiefs of staff will not always attend the principals committee.
“This idea there’s been a change or a downgrade is utter nonsense,” says Bannon.“This idea there’s been a change or a downgrade is utter nonsense,” says Bannon.
Spicer says they called several outlets “who had been misreporting this memo to explain what it means” yesterday.Spicer says they called several outlets “who had been misreporting this memo to explain what it means” yesterday.
Trump will now amend the memo to add the CIA into the memo, says Spicer, saying that the Obama administration had not included the CIA.Trump will now amend the memo to add the CIA into the memo, says Spicer, saying that the Obama administration had not included the CIA.
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.54pm GMTat 6.54pm GMT
6.46pm GMT6.46pm GMT
18:4618:46
Sean Spicer starts off his press briefing by saying Trump has spoken with Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau to give his condolences over the shooting at a Quebec mosque where six people were killed.Sean Spicer starts off his press briefing by saying Trump has spoken with Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau to give his condolences over the shooting at a Quebec mosque where six people were killed.
Spicer notes that the “tragic” event is a reminder “why the president is taking steps to be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to keeping citizens safe.”Spicer notes that the “tragic” event is a reminder “why the president is taking steps to be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to keeping citizens safe.”
That’s presumably a reference to Trump’s executive order banning travel to citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries.That’s presumably a reference to Trump’s executive order banning travel to citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries.
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.46pm GMTat 6.46pm GMT
6.43pm GMT6.43pm GMT
18:4318:43
Video: Sean Spicer gives White House press briefingVideo: Sean Spicer gives White House press briefing
6.39pm GMT6.39pm GMT
18:3918:39
Washington state launches lawsuit against Trump travel banWashington state launches lawsuit against Trump travel ban
The Governor of Washington, Jay Inslee, announced on Monday his state was launching a legal challenge against Trump’s travel ban executive order, the first state to do so.The Governor of Washington, Jay Inslee, announced on Monday his state was launching a legal challenge against Trump’s travel ban executive order, the first state to do so.
“The judicial system is adept at protecting the constitution. President Trump may have his alternative facts, but alternative facts do not work in a courtroom,” said Inslee, as he announced the lawsuit with state Attorney General Bob Ferguson, in a press conference shown on Facebook live.“The judicial system is adept at protecting the constitution. President Trump may have his alternative facts, but alternative facts do not work in a courtroom,” said Inslee, as he announced the lawsuit with state Attorney General Bob Ferguson, in a press conference shown on Facebook live.
“This is real hope that this outrage will not stand... we’ve already seen the president retreat on the green-card holder issue... This is not over, people need to have hope,” he said.“This is real hope that this outrage will not stand... we’ve already seen the president retreat on the green-card holder issue... This is not over, people need to have hope,” he said.
Inslee noted that since September 11, 2001 there have been 700,000 refugees admitted to the Untied States, there was not one single fatality from a crime by a refugee from any of the seven Muslim-majority countries as part of the ban.Inslee noted that since September 11, 2001 there have been 700,000 refugees admitted to the Untied States, there was not one single fatality from a crime by a refugee from any of the seven Muslim-majority countries as part of the ban.
“That is a fact. And facts tend to become somewhat relevant in a courtroom, even if they aren’t in reality TV,” said Inslee.“That is a fact. And facts tend to become somewhat relevant in a courtroom, even if they aren’t in reality TV,” said Inslee.
He said the classification of banning immigrants based their country of citizenship goes against state statutes to stop discrimination based on place of birth or nationality.He said the classification of banning immigrants based their country of citizenship goes against state statutes to stop discrimination based on place of birth or nationality.
When asked about Trump’s power to make immigration decisions in his role as president, Ferguson said: “I understand that is their argument. But those powers are not without limit... we are confident that our lawsuit exposes those limits and makes it clear he is acting beyond those limits”.When asked about Trump’s power to make immigration decisions in his role as president, Ferguson said: “I understand that is their argument. But those powers are not without limit... we are confident that our lawsuit exposes those limits and makes it clear he is acting beyond those limits”.
Tonight thousands came together in Seattle, and I am proud to stand with all of you as we speak out against hate and bigotry. pic.twitter.com/M3fIEI022gTonight thousands came together in Seattle, and I am proud to stand with all of you as we speak out against hate and bigotry. pic.twitter.com/M3fIEI022g
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.43pm GMTat 6.43pm GMT
6.25pm GMT6.25pm GMT
18:2518:25
Coming up at 1:30pm ET is a briefing from Sean Spicer, White House press secretary.Coming up at 1:30pm ET is a briefing from Sean Spicer, White House press secretary.
6.19pm GMT6.19pm GMT
18:1918:19
Martin BelamMartin Belam
There’s been a large number of protests against the travel ban arranged in the UK today, including evening events towns and cities as far aparts as Aberdeen, Brighton, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and York.There’s been a large number of protests against the travel ban arranged in the UK today, including evening events towns and cities as far aparts as Aberdeen, Brighton, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and York.
Here are some photos from the protests taken by Guardian colleagues reporting on them in Wales and in Manchester.Here are some photos from the protests taken by Guardian colleagues reporting on them in Wales and in Manchester.
Dump Trump posters at the foot of the Aneurin Bevan statue in Cardiff ahead of protest. pic.twitter.com/HE6cw65F4qDump Trump posters at the foot of the Aneurin Bevan statue in Cardiff ahead of protest. pic.twitter.com/HE6cw65F4q
From Guardian reporter Frances Perraudin in Manchester:From Guardian reporter Frances Perraudin in Manchester:
The crowd is gathering in Manchester’s Albert Square outside the city’s town hall. Over 2,600 people have said they will attend tonight’s demonstration against Donald Trump’s immigration directive.The crowd is gathering in Manchester’s Albert Square outside the city’s town hall. Over 2,600 people have said they will attend tonight’s demonstration against Donald Trump’s immigration directive.
The site for the demonstration is a stone’s throw from Lincoln Square, where a statue of US president Abraham Lincoln was erected to give thanks to Lancashire’s cotton workers for “their fight for the abolition of slavery during the American Civil War”. (An economic blockade of slave-picked cotton from the southern states caused massive unemployment in the region’s cotton industry.)The site for the demonstration is a stone’s throw from Lincoln Square, where a statue of US president Abraham Lincoln was erected to give thanks to Lancashire’s cotton workers for “their fight for the abolition of slavery during the American Civil War”. (An economic blockade of slave-picked cotton from the southern states caused massive unemployment in the region’s cotton industry.)
Dean Smith, a 24-year-old sports journalist, is the main organiser of this evening’s demo. Smith says it was a tweet by the writer David Slack that prompted him to act on his horror at Trump’s directive. The tweet reads: “Remember sitting in history, thinking ‘If I was alive then, I would’ve…’ You’re alive now. Whatever you’re doing is what you would’ve done.”Dean Smith, a 24-year-old sports journalist, is the main organiser of this evening’s demo. Smith says it was a tweet by the writer David Slack that prompted him to act on his horror at Trump’s directive. The tweet reads: “Remember sitting in history, thinking ‘If I was alive then, I would’ve…’ You’re alive now. Whatever you’re doing is what you would’ve done.”
Organiser of the Manchester #TrumpBan demo, 24-year-old Dean Smith, has never organised a protest before. Says Trump's actions are vile. pic.twitter.com/KJ8ynYXluWOrganiser of the Manchester #TrumpBan demo, 24-year-old Dean Smith, has never organised a protest before. Says Trump's actions are vile. pic.twitter.com/KJ8ynYXluW
Clare Solomon is helping out with the organising. Says May's grovelling is repugnant #StandUpToTrump pic.twitter.com/qKYqC9DfeGClare Solomon is helping out with the organising. Says May's grovelling is repugnant #StandUpToTrump pic.twitter.com/qKYqC9DfeG
Thousands protesting in Manchester, UK, against Trump. Chanting "Refugees in, Theresa May out". #TrumpBan pic.twitter.com/qOsgTDCF7PThousands protesting in Manchester, UK, against Trump. Chanting "Refugees in, Theresa May out". #TrumpBan pic.twitter.com/qOsgTDCF7P
6.09pm GMT
18:09
Video: Donald Trump says migration orders were a 'good day'
Donald Trump on Monday said he was happy with the imposition of a travel ban on Muslim-majority nations.
“We actually had a very good day yesterday in terms of homeland security and someday we were hoping to move and we decided to make a move,” Trump told reporters while meeting with small business owners at the White House.
6.07pm GMT
18:07
Over the weekend a Facebook post by data scientist Nazanin Zinouri, who is Iranian and lives in South Carolina, went viral after Zinouri wrote about being unallowed to return to the US because of the travel ban, although she has an apartment, job, friends, dog and life here.
She expanded on her post in an article in the Washington Post, discussing her experience after being banned from boarding a flight in Dubai to the United States:
A million thoughts rushed through my mind, from the practical to the philosophical: What happens to Dexter [her dog] now? He is waiting for his mom to come home. Who is going to take him for doctor visits? What happens to my car parked at the long-term lot at the Atlanta airport? What happens to all the stuff I had collected during 6½ years living in the United States? What about my lease? Will my landlord think I just left town? What happens to my job, my life, my American Dream? I flew back to Tehran to stay with my family and figure out what to do next, stung by the realization that as far as the U.S. government is concerned, my life doesn’t matter. Nothing I worked for all these years matters.
Read the rest here.
5.37pm GMT
17:37
UK arranges deal with US over travel ban for British citizens
UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has insisted that the UK government has hammered out a new deal with Donald Trump’s administration under which anyone carrying a British passport will not be banned from entering the US.
The foreign secretary told parliament that further talks with senior figures inside the White House had secured a more detailed agreement that dual nationals would not be stopped, even if they were travelling from one of the seven countries covered by the US ban.
Johnson made clear that the new US immigration policy, which he described as “highly controversial”, was not a measure that the British government would consider.
Following talks between himself and the home secretary, Amber Rudd, and their US counterparts, he said: “I’m able to provide the following clarification. The general principle is that all British passport holders remain welcome to travel to the US. We have received assurances that this executive order will make no difference to any British passport holder irrespective of their country of birth or if they hold another passport.”
Read the rest here.
5.23pm GMT
17:23
Helena Smith
Helena Smith, our correspondent in Greece, the county long on the frontline of the refugee crisis, reports on Syrians being the biggest victims of Trump’s travel ban.
The implications of the freeze may still be unclear but of one thing human rights groups are sure: Syrian refugees fleeing atrocity and war are among the biggest losers not least because the U.S. has resettled more Syrian refugees to date than any other country.
“What is very clear cut is that Syrian refugees have now lost one of their very few tickets out,” Amnesty International’s deputy director for Europe and Central Asia, Gauri Van Gulik, told the Guardian.
“The U.S. has been the biggest re-settler country. For Syrians who had some hope of being resettled, that hope is now shut. It’s a huge loss,” said Van Gulik.
Around 800,000 Syrians fled to Europe via Greece at the height of the conflict in 2015. The vast majority made their way further north until borders along the Balkan corridor were closed and thousands were subsequently stranded in Greece.
Updated
at 5.40pm GMT
5.20pm GMT
17:20
Trump just signed another new executive order, this one on the theme of cutting regulation.
The purpose of the order states that:
for every one new regulation issued, at least two prior regulations be identified for elimination, and that the cost of planned regulations be prudently managed and controlled through a budgeting process.
It’s being done as a cost-cutting measure, although it’s not yet clear the practicalities of cutting two regulations for every new regulation to be implemented.
5.03pm GMT
17:03
State Dept circulating 'dissent channel' memo against Trump's travel ban
A “Dissent Channel” memo slamming Trump’s executive orders as “counter to core American values” and saying the changes will instead aid terrorists is circulating amongst State Department staffers, reports the Washington Post.
The memo, which is titled “Alternatives to Closing Doors in Order to Secure Our Borders” according to the draft published in the Washington Post, is being signed by State Department staff.
Then, it will be sent officially through the Dissent Channel, a channel used to communicate dissenting opinions on government policy without fear of retribution.
Trump’s travel ban will “sour relations” with the named countries and also others in the Muslim world, says the memo, noting that it will “increase anti-American sentiment”. The memo also states the US will suffer economically and that there is a humanitarian responsibility to allow travel for needs such as medical needs or to attend funerals.
“Looking beyond its effectiveness, this ban stands in opposition to the core American and constitutional values that we, as federal employees, took an oath to uphold,” it reads.
Instead, the memo calls for wider vetting of people from all countries, including holders of US passports, not just the seven Muslim-majority countries named.
Steve Herman, a diplomatic reporter reporter at Voice of America, published a statement from the State Department confirming the authenticity of the memo.
Read the whole draft memo here.
4.37pm GMT
16:37
Live video of British MPs discussing the Trump administration and the Trump executive order.
Updated
at 4.44pm GMT
4.25pm GMT
16:25
Coffee giant Starbucks announced overnight a promise to hire 10,000 refugees, in response to Trump’s executive order travel ban.
As Adam Vaughan and Dominic Rushe report:
Howard Schultz, the coffee chain’s chief executive, said he had “deep concern” about the president’s order and would be taking “resolute” action, starting with offering jobs to refugees.
“We are developing plans to hire 10,000 of them over five years in the 75 countries around the world where Starbucks does business,” he told employees in a strongly-worded note.
He added that the move was to make clear the company “will neither stand by, nor stand silent, as the uncertainty around the new administration’s actions grows with each passing day.”
Read the rest here.
4.11pm GMT
16:11
Syrian refugees in Rome have a message for the US president, as criticism grows over Donald Trump’s freeze on America’s refugee program.
4.03pm GMT
16:03
Good morning and welcome to our continuing coverage of the fallout from Donald Trump’s executive order on refugee admission and travel from some Muslim-majority countries.
After a weekend of mass protests and disruption - with people detained at airports, refused entry to planes and removed from the United States - legal challenges continue to be launched, challenging the validity of the order.
“We have a constitutional crisis,” Congressman Don Beyer, a Democrat from Virginia, wrote on Twitter on Sunday after Customs and Border Patrol officials refused to release people from Dulles Airport, despite federal court rulings that temporarily stayed the Trump order.
Having government and public officials abide by the law and court orders is one of the hallmarks of the nation, notes Trevor Timm.
Trump is standing by the ban and the decision to implement it immediately, with no warning:
If the ban were announced with a one week notice, the "bad" would rush into our country during that week. A lot of bad "dudes" out there!
John Kelly, the new secretary for homeland security, released a statement clarifying that green-card holders, who are legal permanent US residents, will not be affected by the travel ban.
Today, among other things, we’ll be keeping our eye on Trump spokesman Sean Spicer’s 1.30pm ET press briefing, where journalists will be likely quiz him on the ban and the administration’s handling of it.