Gov. Inslee, Port Commission respond to Trump’s immigration ban



SEATTLE -- Governor Jay Inslee, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, Port of Seattle Commission and local elected officials spoke out against the Trump administration's executive order banning the entry of immigrants from seven nations (Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen).

On Saturday, Lance Lyttle, a managing director of Sea-Tac International Airport confirmed that people have been detained at the airport. He said some people were admitted into the U.S. while others were detained or sent back.

KUOW reports that up to 13 people were detained at Sea-Tac on Saturday.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection oversees the immigration process, but the Port of Seattle Commission is making special accommodations for the friends and family members of travelers who have been impacted.

Watch the full press conference below:



Port of Seattle Commission President Tom Albro said the abrupt nature of the executive order did not allow adequate process for public agencies such as the port commission to provide service that travels and families expect.

Lyttle said they received notice shortly before midnight Friday of the order and that several planes were already in the air.

“This is what happens when a president turns his back on the values of our country. This is what happens when the president and his administration issue a reckless order late at night with no thought to the implication or consideration of the impact on individuals and families,” said U.S. Representative Suzan DelBene.

Sea-Tac airport is owned by the citizens of King County.







Trump's executive order

President Donald Trump took executive action Friday on curbing access visas and limiting refugees coming to the US.

Repercussions of the ban could be felt worldwide, as chaos and confusion rippled through US law enforcement agencies, airports and foreign capitals trying to grasp the US’s new policy.

According to drafts of the executive action obtained by CNN, the order suspends the US Refugee Admissions Program for 90 days until it is reinstated “only for nationals of countries for whom” members of Trump’s Cabinet deem can be properly vetted.

It also caps the total number of refugees admitted in the 2017 fiscal year at 50,000.