Priebus Says Immigration Ban ‘Doesn't Include' Green Card Holders

In an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press," Priebus was asked about reports that the executive order affected green card holders, contrary to recommendations from the Department of Homeland Security

White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus said Sunday that President Trump's executive order barring immigration from select countries will not extend to green card holders going forward, a reversal in how the order was implemented on its first day. 

In an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press," Priebus was asked whether the order extended to green card holders, contrary to recommendations from the Department of Homeland Security.

"We didn't overrule the Department of Homeland Security, as far as green card holders moving forward, it doesn't affect them," Priebus said. 

The order suspends the U.S. refugee program for 120 days and blocks entry by citizens of seven majority-Muslim countries for 90 days.

Priebus' statement comes a day after Federal Judge Ann M. Donnelly of the Eastern District of New York Courthouse in Brooklyn granted an injunction in response to a request filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and other legal organizations on behalf of individuals subject to President Trump's immigration ban from seven predominantly Muslim countries.

On Sunday, attorneys general from 16 states and the District of Columbia issued a statement condemning the order.

“As the chief legal officers for over 130 million Americans and foreign residents of our states, we condemn President Trump's unconstitutional, un-American and unlawful Executive Order and will work together to ensure the federal government obeys the Constitution, respects our history as a nation of immigrants, and does not unlawfully target anyone because of their national origin or faith," they wrote.

"We are confident that the Executive Order will ultimately be struck down by the courts. In the meantime, we are committed to working to ensure that as few people as possible suffer from the chaotic situation that it has created," the statement concluded.

A federal judge in Virginia also issued a temporary restraining order that for one week will block green card holders arriving at Dulles International Airport from being removed from the country.

The order, issued Saturday by U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema, also says that anyone detained at the airport should have access to a lawyer.

The motion was filed by the Legal Aid Justice Center on behalf of more than 50 permanent residents detained at Dulles on Saturday.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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