Client Alert: Trump Immigration Order is Stayed by Four Courts and Diluted by Homeland Security

On January 27, 2017 President Trump signed an Executive Order barring entry into the U.S. for the next 90 days by aliens from seven countries -- Iraq, Iran, Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, and Yemen -- including persons holding immigrant and non-immigrant visas issued by the U.S. Entry by refugees attempting relocation is suspended for the next 120 days and entry by all Syrian refugees is suspended until further notice. Beginning in late May 2017 the State Department may allow entry into the U.S. of nationals of countries that State, Homeland Security and the Director of National Intelligence jointly determine pose no danger to the U.S. The Order makes special provisions for entry by members of religious minorities from these countries. This provision is especially controversial since it prioritizes the processing of refugee claims based on the refugee's religion. U.S. citizens -- whether natural-born or naturalized -- are unaffected by the Order.