Read Maura Healey’s response to Trump’s revised travel ban
President Donald Trump signed a revised immigration order Monday, after the original version was blocked last month by a series of court rulings.
Despite some changes, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey says the order continues to be “misguided.”
This watered-down travel ban is a clear attempt to resurrect a discredited order and fulfill a discriminatory campaign promise. pic.twitter.com/HDBf916Yxn
— AG Maura Healey Archived (@AGHealeyArchive) March 6, 2017
Healey was one of 16 Democratic attorneys general to join a federal lawsuit against Trump’s original order, which temporarily banned all refugees and citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States.
A federal judge — and, subsequently, a federal appeals court — agreed with the states, which argued the order had harmed local residents and businesses, unconstitutionally targeted Muslims, and lacked sufficient rationale.
The new order bans refugees from entering the country for 120 days and blocks citizens of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen from entering for 90 days. Among other changes to the ban, Iraqi citizens are no longer included in the new order and Syrian refugees will be banned for 90 days, rather than indefinitely. It is set to take effect March 16.
In her statement, Healey said her office “will consider all legal options to protect our residents, our institutions, and our businesses.” She was joined by state attorney generals, including in Washington and New York, who said their offices are reviewing Trump’s order — but nevertheless blasted the policy.
