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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)
8.40pm GMT
20:40
UNHCR 'deeply worried' about Trump travel ban
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi is “deeply worried” about Trump’s travel ban executive order, which halts all refugees admissions for 120 days and suspends Syrian refugees indefinitely.
In a statement, Grandi noted that 800 refugees due to arrive in the United States this week are now barred from entry.
“UNHCR estimates that 20,000 refugees in precarious circumstances might have been resettled to the United States during the 120 days covered by the suspension announced Friday, based on average monthly figures for the last 15 years. Refugees are anxious, confused and heartbroken at this suspension in what is already a lengthy process,” reads the statement.
Last year 96,874 refugees resettled in the United States, with 15,479 of them coming from Syria, according to US state department figures. But Trump’s decision affects the US’s global standing, said Grandi:
For decades, the United States has been a global leader in refugee protection, a tradition rooted in the tolerance and generosity of the American people. UNHCR hopes the US will continue its strong leadership role and its long history of protecting those who are fleeing conflict and persecution.
7.43pm GMT7.43pm GMT
19:4319:43
Women's March organizer launches legal action against TrumpWomen's March organizer launches legal action against Trump
The Council on American‐Islamic Relations launched legal action against Donald Trump and his executive order travel ban in the eastern district court of Virginia today, callingThe Council on American‐Islamic Relations launched legal action against Donald Trump and his executive order travel ban in the eastern district court of Virginia today, calling
The lead plaintiff of the case is Linda Sarsour, the executive director of Arab American Association of New York and an organizer of the Women’s March on Washington on January 21.The lead plaintiff of the case is Linda Sarsour, the executive director of Arab American Association of New York and an organizer of the Women’s March on Washington on January 21.
The plaintiffs, a high-profile group of Muslim activists, lawyers and politicians, call it an “unconstitutional order” by a president who has led a campaign to fuel fear and discrimination against Muslims and that the order is “a legal manifestation of those bigoted views”.The plaintiffs, a high-profile group of Muslim activists, lawyers and politicians, call it an “unconstitutional order” by a president who has led a campaign to fuel fear and discrimination against Muslims and that the order is “a legal manifestation of those bigoted views”.
The legal complaint reads:The legal complaint reads:
President Trump’s Muslim Exclusion Order imposes upon Islam—the religion to which all of the Plaintiffs belong—the stigma of government disfavor. This condemnation, which has been cast to the general public pursuant to the Muslim Exclusion Order, signals to Plaintiffs’ fellow citizens that their faith is uniquely threatening and dangerous insofar as it is the only religion singled out for disfavored treatment.President Trump’s Muslim Exclusion Order imposes upon Islam—the religion to which all of the Plaintiffs belong—the stigma of government disfavor. This condemnation, which has been cast to the general public pursuant to the Muslim Exclusion Order, signals to Plaintiffs’ fellow citizens that their faith is uniquely threatening and dangerous insofar as it is the only religion singled out for disfavored treatment.
No accident that @lsarsour is lead plaintiff in lawsuit against Trump #MuslimBan. Will go down in history as SARSOUR v. TRUMP. Amazing. pic.twitter.com/wRUV3M96fINo accident that @lsarsour is lead plaintiff in lawsuit against Trump #MuslimBan. Will go down in history as SARSOUR v. TRUMP. Amazing. pic.twitter.com/wRUV3M96fI
Sarsour, a Palestinian-American who was born in Brooklyn, also led protests at JFK airport and in Battery Park over the weekend against the travel ban.Sarsour, a Palestinian-American who was born in Brooklyn, also led protests at JFK airport and in Battery Park over the weekend against the travel ban.
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at 7.46pm GMTat 7.46pm GMT
7.31pm GMT7.31pm GMT
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A reporter asks about the 300 people around the world awaiting to board planes to the US and were not allowed because of the travel ban. Spicer dodges the question.A reporter asks about the 300 people around the world awaiting to board planes to the US and were not allowed because of the travel ban. Spicer dodges the question.
7.29pm GMT7.29pm GMT
19:2919:29
Spicer again speaking about the travel ban.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.“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.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.“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.“Being able to come to America is a privilege, not a right,” says Spicer.
“We have to wait in lines too,” 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.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 GMT7.16pm GMT
19:1619:16
Obama: 'heartened' by protests over travel banObama: '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.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/EnLodhaG0TObama statement on the protests of Trump's Executive Order pic.twitter.com/EnLodhaG0T
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at 7.16pm GMTat 7.16pm GMT
7.12pm GMT7.12pm GMT
19:1219:12
Sean Spicer: 'I feel confident' about legal challenges over travel banSean Spicer: 'I feel confident' about legal challenges over travel ban
Journalists quiz Sean Spicer about legal action being taken against Trump’s executive order.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 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.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.“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.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.“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.
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at 7.15pm GMTat 7.15pm GMT
7.06pm GMT7.06pm GMT
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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.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.“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 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.“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.”“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.”
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at 7.12pm GMTat 7.12pm GMT
6.58pm GMT6.58pm GMT
18:5818:58
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.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.
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at 6.59pm GMTat 6.59pm GMT
6.55pm GMT6.55pm GMT
18:5518:55
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.”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.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.“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.“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.
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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.
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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