In a setback to President Donald Trump, a Federal Court judge blocked the travel ban that prevents refugees from 11 countries, mostly Muslim majority nations, reported CNN.
After hearing the suits filed by different groups, Judge James Robart of the Western District of Washington on Saturday agreed that the travel ban put into place by the administration restricted refugees to reunite with their family members in the US.
The judge ruled that the administration could carry out the security review as prescribed in the order, but cannot stop processing or admit them into the US.
But, the ruling does not apply to “those refugees who lack a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States.”
“We are thrilled that families will have the chance to be reunited and refugees who have suffered so much will have the chance to make it to safety,” Rabbi Will Berkovitz, the chief executive officer of the Jewish Family Service of Seattle, which brought one of the suits, told CNN.
“As we celebrate this moment, we remember our ancestors who did not have anyone standing with them or for them,” he added.
According to a Reuters report, the groups argued in the court that the rules put into place by the administration preventing the foreign national entering the US violated the Constitution and Federal lawmaking procedure.
In response, Department of Justice attorneys argued that the administration has the authority to prevent refugee entry according to the US law. The lawyer also argued that the refugees pose threat to the security of the nation.
The executive order issued by President Donald Trump on October 24 banned citizens from eight countries namely Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, Somalia, and Yemen. However, travelers who a have “bona fide” relationship with a person in the US were permitted to travel.
Though several Federal courts have rejected the law restricting the entry of foreign nationals, the Supreme Court had ordered to execute the order in full strength earlier this month.