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Trump hits back at judge who overruled his travel ban

US president Donald Trump has ordered border officials to check people entering the country “very carefully” after a judge blocked his controversial travel ban.

Friday’s ruling saw visa holders from seven mainly Muslim countries scramble to get flights to the US, fearing they have a slim window to enter.

The State Department has been reversing visa cancellations and US homeland security employees have been told by their department to comply with the ruling.

The ban caused confusion at US and foreign airports when it came into force last week.

But it was overruled by Seattle federal judge James Robart on Friday and an appeals court rejected the Trump administration’s request to reinstate the ban on Saturday.

This means that Trump’s directive will remain suspended and visa holders from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen will be allowed to enter the US until the full case has been heard.

The White House and two US states challenging the ban have been given a deadline of Monday to present more arguments.

The two states challenging the restriction – Washington and Minnesota – argued that the ban was unconstitutional and denied people with valid entry documents the right to travel without due process.

It also violated freedom of religion rights by appearing to target Muslims, they said.

In response, Trump issued a series of tweets, saying: “I have instructed Homeland Security to check people coming into our country VERY CAREFULLY. The courts are making the job very difficult!”

“Just cannot believe a judge would put our country in such peril. If something happens blame him and court system. People pouring in. Bad!”

The president earlier called Judge Robart’s ruling “ridiculous”, described him as a “so-called judge”.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: “On 3 February 2017, a legal ruling temporarily suspended implementation of the Executive Order [travel ban].

“However, president Trump has vowed to overturn the ruling. Exact visa and other entry conditions could therefore change at short notice.”

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