A federal judge in Washington state on Friday temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's executive order that put a hold on entry to the U.S. of people from seven predominantly Muslim nations.
The temporary restraining order applies nationwide, Attorney General Bob Ferguson's office said.
"The Constitution prevailed today," Ferguson said in a statement. "No one is above the law — not even the President."
The restraining order will be in effect until U.S. District Court Senior Judge James L. Robart considers a legal challenge filed by the attorney general, Ferguson's office said.
The White House press secretary said the administration will seek an emergency stay at the earliest possible time, and initially called the judge's action an "outrageous order." An updated statement issued a short time later dropped the term "outrageous."
"The president's order is intended to protect the homeland and he has the constitutional authority and responsibility to protect the American people," both statements said.
A Department of Homeland Security official told NBC News that the
judge's order will have no immediate practical effect. All previously issued visas from the seven affected countries were canceled by last week's executive order, the official said, meaning people would have to reapply.
Related: Around 60,000 Visas Revoked by Trump's Immigration Order, State Dept. Says
The order Trump signed on Jan. 27 suspends entry for 90 days of nationals of Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Iran, Somalia, Libya, and Yemen. Trump said the order was necessary to keep Americans safe from terrorism. Critics have called it a "Muslim ban," which the president has denied.
The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement Friday that the "pause" does not apply to lawful permanent residents or dual citizens.
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