LIVE: Washington AG to make 'major announcement' on president's executive action on immigration
SEATTLE -- The attorneys general of 15 states and the District of Columbia are issuing a joint statement condemning as unconstitutional President Donald Trump's ban on travelers from seven predominantly Muslim nations.
The attorneys general say that religious liberty has been a bedrock principle of the country and no president can change that truth.
The states taking part in the joint statement issued Sunday are Washington, California, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Virginia, Oregon, Connecticut, Vermont, Illinois, New Mexico, Iowa, Maine, and Maryland.
The attorneys general say they expect Trump's executive order to be struck down, but in the meantime, they'll work to make sure as few as possible suffer as a result of the order.
Attorney General Bob Ferguson is expected to make a major announcement regarding Trump's executive order Monday, January 30, 2017 at 10 a.m.
Q13 News This Morning will be extended to cover Ferguson's announcement. Watch live on TV, or here:
Read the full statement below:
“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.
“Religious liberty has been, and always will be, a bedrock principle of our country, and no president can change that truth.
“Yesterday, multiple federal courts ordered a stay of the Administration’s dangerous Executive Order. 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.”