Judge Blocks Trump’s Revised Executive Order on Refugees
A federal judge in Hawaii blocked the nationwide implementation of President Donald Trump’s revised executive order on refugees and immigration hours before it was due to come into force.
U.S. district judge Derrick Watson issued a temporary halt to the order until the broader merits of Hawaii’s legal case are heard, and set an expedited hearing schedule.
In his ruling, Watson said there was little evidence to support the federal government’s argument that the 90-day ban on immigration from six Muslim-majority nations was necessary for national security. The order also suspends refugee resettlement for 120 days.
He said the state of Hawaii’s claim that the ban violates constitutional protections against religious discrimination was likely to succeed, citing Trump’s campaign statements on banning Muslims from the U.S.
He also accepted Hawaii’s argument that the travel ban could hit the state financially by impeding the entry of students and tourists.
Trump slammed the ruling as “unprecedented judicial overreach” and vowed to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
In addition to that of Hawaii, two other legal challenges to the executive order were heard in federal courts in Maryland and Seattle on March 15, but the judges have yet to rule in those cases.
Geert Wilders’ Party Comes Second in Dutch Election
Geert Wilders’ far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) came second in the Dutch parliamentary elections, gaining seats but falling short of the predicted victory.
With the vote count nearly complete, the Associated Press reported that the PVV had 20 seats – five more than in 2012 – behind Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s right-wing VVD (People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy) party at 33 seats, a loss of eight seats.
The result was celebrated by some as a rejoinder to anti-immigrant and anti-European populism. “The Netherlands, after Brexit, after the American elections, said ‘Whoa’ to the wrong kind of populism,” Rutte said in a victory speech.
“Large majority of Dutch voters have rejected anti-European populists. That’s good news. We need you for a strong #Europe!” Germany’s foreign ministry wrote on Twitter.
Yet analysts note that Wilders’ rhetoric has already impacted other Dutch parties’ platforms and will continue to influence politics as coalition building gets underway.
“Rutte has not seen the last of me yet!” Wilders wrote on Twitter.
Europe Reinstates Returns to Greece Under Dublin Rule
The European Commission reinstated rules that asylum seekers who first enter Europe via Greece can be sent back to the country.
Europe had suspended transfers to Greece under the “Dublin Regulation” since 2011 due to deficiencies in the Greek asylum system. Since then, tens of thousands of asylum seekers have been stranded in Greece after the Balkan route was largely closed last year.
In December, the commission said it would resume returns to Greece for asylum seekers who arrive from March 15.
Germany’s interior ministry confirmed that it would begin enforcing the rule this week.
Recommended Reads:
- Reuters: With a Stroke of Red Pen, Myanmar’s Rohingya Fear Losing Right to Return
- Save the Children: A Tide of Self-Harm and Depression: The E.U.-Turkey Deal’s Devastating Impact on Child Refugees and Migrants
- The Conversation: Academics Collaborate With Artists to Ask: Who Are We to Fear Refugees and Migrants
- Niskanen Center: What Americans Think About Refugees Is More Complicated Than You Think
- IRIN News: A Syrian Refugee Family’s Year-Long Greek Odyssey