Minnesota Joins Lawsuit Over Trump's Executive Order

Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson has joined a lawsuit against the federal government alleging that President Donald Trump's Jan. 27 executive order that imposes entry restrictions on people from seven different countries is unconstitutional.

"It does not pass constitutional muster, is inconsistent with our history as a nation, and undermines our national security," Swanson said. "America can keep its people safe without sacrificing bedrock constitutional principles."

The lawsuit, filed earlier this week by Washington State, is gaining support form major corporations including Apple, Google, and Airbnb, concerned about the impact of the travel ban on the economy and their employees.

New York, Massachusetts and Virginia are also among the states that have joined lawsuits against the order, Bloomberg reported.

The lawsuit alleges the following

• That the executive order violates the equal protection, establishment, and due process clauses of the U.S. Constitution and the federal Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, which prohibits discrimination in the issuance of visas on the basis of nationality, race, or place of birth or residence.
• That the order is overbroad in imposing a blanket travel ban on people from certain countries “and sweeps within its ambit infant children, the disabled, long-time U.S residents, those fleeing terrorism, and those who assisted in the United States in conflicts overseas” who do not pose a security risk.
• The lawsuit describes the impact of the travel ban on people with a lawful right to be in the U.S., such as parents and their children, students with valid student visas, and scientists and other employees with valid work visas, who either cannot leave or return to the U.S. under the order and some who have been separated from family.
• The lawsuit also describes the chilling effect of the order on recruitment for employers and academic institutions.

Four different federal judges have temporarily halted certain detentions under the executive order, according to a news release.

Related:

• Watch: 5,000 Gathered to Protest Trump Order in Minneapolis
• Republican Rep. Erik Paulsen Criticizes Trump Immigration Order

Image via The Office of the Attorney General Lori Swanson