Illinois has joined a group of states supporting a temporary restraining order against President Trump’s revised travel ban.
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan joined colleagues in twelve other states and the District of Columbia in filing an amicus brief Monday supporting the state of Hawaii in its case against the revised Executive Order on immigration. They argue that the latest travel ban still contains unconstitutional parts of the original order.
“The changes to the travel ban do not alter the fact that this executive action is discriminatory and contrary to the founding principles of our country,” Madigan said. She said the order could harm Illinois residents, employers, and educational institutions.
The states argued in their amicus brief that the Executive Order caused “serious harm” to state residents, their families, communities, businesses, and institutions. They also contend the broad ban on people from a handful of predominantly Muslim countries and the suspension of the refugee program are unconstitutional.
Madigan says state colleges and universities are hurt by reduced staffing, loss of students, and by an increase in administrative costs.
The other states supporting Hawaii’s request for a temporary restraining order are California, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and the District of Columbia. The documents say they support Hawaii's request because they all benefit from immigration and international travel. A federal judge in Honolulu is scheduled to hear the motion Wednesday. The states behind the brief are offering arguments in support of the lawsuit but are not joining it. Five other states have joined a similar lawsuit filed by Washington State.
Madigan filed similar briefs after the initial Executive Order on immigration when Washington, Virginia, and New York challenged it in court.
The revised immigration order is scheduled to go into effect Thursday.
