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Schneiderman: Trump Immigration Order 'Unconstitutional,' Creating 'Chaos'

New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman was among attorney generals from the United States who called President Donald Trump's executive order issued Friday on immigration "unconstitutional," saying it has created "chaos," while vowing to fight it.

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman

Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address  in front of the Capitol Building on Jan. 20.

Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address in front of the Capitol Building on Jan. 20.

Photo Credit: Screen Grab Courtesy Trump Inauguration Twitter
Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Photo Credit: Contributed

Fifteen other attorney generals joined Schneiderman in condemning the order Trump signed on Friday in a statement released Sunday afternoon.

Trump's controversial order blocks for 90 days entry into the U.S. for citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, suspended for 120 days entry of all refugees and banned Syrian refugees indefinitely.

“As the chief legal officers for over 130 million Americans and foreign residents of our states, we condemn President Trump's unconstitutional, un-American and unlawful executive order and will work together to ensure the federal government obeys the Constitution, respects our history as a nation of immigrants, and does not unlawfully target anyone because of their national origin or faith," the statement said. "Religious liberty has been, and always will be, a bedrock principle of our country and no president can change that truth."

Gov. Andrew Cuomo also voiced disapproval of Trump's order.

"I never thought I'd see the day when refugees, who have fled war-torn countries in search of a better life, would be turned away at our doorstep," Cuomo said. "We are a nation of bridges, not walls, and a great many of us still believe in the words 'give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses."

Cuomo said he's directed the Port Authority, the Department of State, and my Counsel's Office to jointly explore all legal options to assist anyone detained at New York airports, and ensure that their rights are protected. 

"America is a nation of laws and those laws provide rights that must be respected and followed regardless of political ideology," Cuomo said.

The other attorney generals joining Schneiderman are from Connecticut, California, Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Maryland, Iowa, New Mexico, Virginia, Oregon, Hawaii, the District of Columbia and Washington state.

"Multiple federal courts ordered a stay of the Administration’s dangerous executive order," the statement by the attorney generals said. "We applaud those decisions and will use all of the tools of our offices to fight this unconstitutional order and preserve our nation’s national security and core values.

"We are confident that the executive order will ultimately be struck down by the courts. In the meantime, we are committed to working to ensure that as few people as possible suffer from the chaotic situation that it has created.”

Trump, who owns the $19.5 million Seven Springs estate in Bedford, also owns Trump National Golf Club Hudson Valley in Stormville and Trump National Westchester in Briarcliff Manor. The Trump name also adorns Trump Tower At City Center in White Plains, Trump Plaza in New Rochelle, Trump Park Residences in Yorktown and the Donald J. Trump State Park on the Westchester/Putnam border.

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