A federal judge in Hawaii extended an order blocking President Trump’s travel ban.
A now indefinite extension was granted to allow the Hawaii state lawsuit challenging the executive order to work its way through the court system.
After hearing arguments, U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson upheld the injunction on the travel ban.
President Trump signed the revised ban on March 6 for a 90-day ban on people arriving in the US from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, plus a 120-day ban on refugees.
Stating their position before the judge, Hawaii argued the policy is discriminatory as it effectively targets Muslims and ultimately hurts the state’s economy.
Hawaii attorney general Douglas Chin said the wording in the revised ban was akin to a ‘neon sign flashing Muslim ban.’
Department of Justice attorney Chad Readler had argued Hawaii only had generalized concerns and halting the refugee program would have no impact on Hawaii.
Watson wrote that a preliminary injunction was granted as Hawaii would likely be successful in proving religious freedom protection under the Constitution was violated.
The Administration has vowed to take the case to the US Supreme Court to get it overturned.
