Trump Travel Ban: Hawaii Judge Blocks Latest Version

HONOLULU (AP) — President Donald Trump's latest version of the travel ban has been blocked by a judge in Hawaii, hours before it was set to take effect, meeting a similar fate as the two previous versions of the executive order.

U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson on Tuesday granted Hawaii's request to temporarily block the federal government from enforcing the policy. It was supposed to take effect at midnight EDT Wednesday.

The Trump administration's most recent restrictions, which affect citizens of Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen — and some Venezuelan government officials and their families.

Watch: Hawaii Judge Freezes Trump's Latest Travel Restrictions

Hawaii argues the updated ban is a continuation of President Donald Trump's "promise to exclude Muslims from the United States."

In a statement, the White House called the decision "dangerously flawed."

"These restrictions are vital to ensuring that foreign nations comply with the minimum security standards required for the integrity of our immigration system and the security of our Nation," it said. "We are therefore confident that the Judiciary will ultimately uphold the President’s lawful and necessary action and swiftly restore its vital protections for the safety of the American people."

Other courts are weighing challenges to the policy. In Maryland, the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups are seeking to block the visa and entry restrictions in the president's latest proclamation.

Cody Fenwick contributed to this report.

Photo by Caleb Jones/File/Associated Press