Washington Gov. Jay Inslee issued the following statement on Thursday after a panel of three federal appellate judges upheld a decision last week in Seattle by U.S. District Judge James Robart to suspend President Trump’s immigration order to block refugees and citizens of seven countries from entering the United States:
“Today’s decision to uphold Judge Robart’s order is a victory for Washington State and indeed the entire country,” Inslee said. “Thank you to Attorney General (Bob) Ferguson and Solicitor General Noah Purcell for their diligent work on behalf of our state.
“The decision underscores the serious constitutional issues with President Trump’s executive order and emphasizes what Attorney General Ferguson has said throughout this case: that no one is above the law, not even the president.
“Since the restraining order was issued, in our state we’ve seen a Somali man reunited with his wife, an American citizen. An Iraqi global health leader able to rejoin his colleagues at the University of Washington. And a graduate student studying HIV vaccines to return to continue his important work.
“I’m proud of that Washington is a national leader in this fight. We were the first state to stand against this executive order. But all Americans need to be willing to stand and fight for our democracy, everywhere, every time, and in every way it is threatened.”
Trump’s executive order blocked citizens and refugees from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Libya and Yemen. The administration appealed Robart’s ruling to the Ninth Circuit Court. Now the administration plans to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Trump tweeted the following message – in all caps – after the court ruling.
“SEE YOU IN COURT, THE SECURITY OF OUR NATION IS AT STAKE!”
King County Executive Dow Constantine released the following statement:
“The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision to affirm U.S. District Judge Robart’s temporary suspension of the president’s ill-conceived ban on Muslim immigration is another set back for this Administration, and another win for the U.S. Constitution,” Constantine said.
“The legal fight will likely continue to the U.S. Supreme Court, but today’s ruling heartens all who believe in the rule of law. The actions by this president run counter to our community’s core values: compassion, opportunity, and equity. We will not rest until this wrong-headed executive action is permanently reversed.”
State Attorney General Bob Ferguson issued this statement:
“No one is above the law, not even the president,” Ferguson said. “The president should withdraw this flawed, rushed and dangerous executive order, which caused chaos across the country. If he refuses, I will continue our work to hold him accountable to the Constitution.”
U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., released the following statement:
“I am glad the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals thinks Washington state got it right. Thanks to the Washington state Attorney General, Washington state businesses and all involved in the U.S. District Court case, these important Constitutional issues will be addressed. And in the meantime, travel will continue and families can be reunited.”
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said the following:
“This ruling is a victory for the millions of us in Washington state and across the country who have stood up and made it clear that this ban is hateful, unconstitutional, and in no way reflects our nation’s values. I am so proud that Washington state has taken the lead in fighting back against President Trump’s ban on Muslim immigrants and refugees, and I want to thank Solicitor General Purcell, Attorney General Ferguson, and Governor Inslee for their work representing our families and communities and fighting on our behalf.
“Soon after President Trump announced this ban, I went to Sea-Tac Airport to meet with the family of somebody who was turned away from our country. I saw the chaos, confusion, and fear this ban created across our state and country. I heard from so many people whose family and friends were impacted. And today, my thoughts are with the refugees and immigrants, and their families and communities, who have now seen that our people and our courts stand with them.
“The case is not yet over, but I am confident that Washington state will continue to prevail. And I am hopeful that President Trump will finally learn that we are a nation of laws, a nation that welcomes immigrants, and a nation that can protect itself without compromising our values—and rescind this ban immediately.”
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