US Homeland Security announces review of Donald Trump's 'Muslim ban'
Several people allege they were unlawfully detained by US Customs and Border officers, who began enforcing the ban as soon as it was announced
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump's travel ban will be reviewed by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
It will look actions taken after the US President issued the controversial executive order stopping people from seven majority-Muslim countries from entering America, the DHS Inspector General's Office said.
The review comes after several people alleged they were unlawfully detained by US Customs and Border officers, who began enforcing the ban as soon as it was announced.
They were alleged to have continued to stop people entering the country after a federal judge blocked the order.
The Inspector General's office said the review was "initiated in response to congressional requests and whistleblower and hotline complaints".
It added that the review would include an examination of “DHS's adherence to court orders and allegations of individual misconduct on the part of DHS personnel”.
As a result of confusion and conflicting guidance, border officers allegedly trapped green card holders along with people who had valid visas.
Some travellers who were in the air when Mr Trump signed the order were not able to enter the country when they landed. Some were detained and others were sent back to where they flew in from.
Protesters quickly descended on airports to oppose Mr Trump's ban, and lawyers offered free representation to people being held or facing deportation.
A day after the order was issued, Judge Ann Donnelly of the federal district court in Brooklyn ordered an emergency stay, blocking the deportation of any individual with a valid visa being held in an airport in the United States.
“I think the government hasn’t had a full chance to think about this,” Ms Donnelly told the courtroom.
But despite three other judges ruling the same way over the course of the weekend, there were still concerns on Sunday and Monday that border officers were not complying and had continued to detain people.
Although the order resulted in widespread chaos, Mr Trump said he felt the implementation of his ban “was working out very nicely”.
The President added that while there is “compassion to those fleeing oppression”, his first priority was to keep the nation safe.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments