Court Temporarily Blocks Trump’s Travel Ban, and Airlines Are Told to Allow Passengers

Late yesterday (Friday), a federal judge in Seattle issued a temporary restraining order the practical effect of which is to put a stop to those portions of the presidents executive order that are keeping affected individuals from predominantly muslim countries (Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen) from entering the United States.  Based on that temporary restraining order, earlier today (Saturday), the Port Director of U.S. Customs & Border Patrol (CBP) at JFK airport advised that all CBP posts around the world are being authorized to notify airlines to allow such affected individuals to board aircraft bound for the United States.  Late today (Saturday), the Department of Justice indicated that it intends to file an emergency stay of this order.  

The practical upshot of all this is that there may now be a short window of opportunity for any affected individuals to enter the U.S.  To the extent this short window of opportunity may benefit any of your friends or employees, I urge you to communicate this information to them as soon as possible.  

This is clearly a fluid situation and subject to change on very short notice.  I will continue to keep you apprised of any developments.

In the interim, please call me if you have any questions.