Ebun Francis with agency report
Reprieve came to the citizens of the six countries affected by President Trump’s executive order restricting their entry into the US, as a judge in Seattle Friday issued a temporary nationwide block on President Donald Trump’s ban on travellers from seven mainly Muslim nations.
District Judge James Robart ruled against government lawyers’ claims that US states did not have the standing to challenge Mr Trump’s executive order.
The State Department says 60,000 visas have since been revoked.
Mr Trump’s executive order brought in a suspension of the US Refugee Admissions Programme for 120 days.
Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson has describe the ban as illegal and unconstitutional.
President Trump has argued that his directive was aimed at protecting America.
He said visas would once again be issued once “the most secure polices” were in place, and denied it was a Muslim ban.
A number of state attorney generals have said the order is unconstitutional.
The White is expected to appeal the decision.