CHICAGO — Lawyers are camped out at O’Hare Airport, offering free legal help to anyone affected by President Trump’s travel ban.
More than 50 people were detained at O’Hare this weekend after President Trump signed an Executive Order on immigration Friday.
It suspended the entry of all refugees into the United States for 120 days, and barred Syrian refugees indefinitely.
It also blocked the entry of citizens from seven predominantly Muslim countries, for 90 days.
A federal judge issued an emergency ruling Saturday, barring the United States from deporting people with valid visas.
On Sunday, a man who flew in from Lebanon says he has a U.S. passport and his mother was born in the U.S., but he was still pulled aside by Homeland Security.
“He started asking me questions like, ‘Do you hate this county?’ And I’m like, ‘No, I don’t hate my country man,'” said Darius Elhalabi. He said there were 20 others in the same room waiting to be questioned.
Thousands protested at O’Hare and other airports across the country Saturday after dozens of people were detained for hours due to President Trump’s executive orders. But they were finally freed after a NY judge put a stay on the orders.
Some lawyers say no passengers have been formally detained at O’Hare by customs and border patrol agents since Saturday. However, passengers are being held for hours for secondary inspections.
“‘Formal detention’ means they get right of counsel. We get a list of names so we know who’s back there, so we can send a lawyer on their behalf, but secondary inspection does not mean you get that.” said paralegal Julia Adams. “So you can be questioned. They can have their phones looked through.”
Adams said several people have been deported from O’Hare, but most were traveling with tourist visas. She also said those forced to leave have been from various countries, most not mentioned in the president’s travel ban.
Protestors are expected to return Monday night and say they have events planned all week long.
Some even say they plan to protest until the executive order is overturned.
President Trump responded to the protests Monday morning on Twitter:
Only 109 people out of 325,000 were detained and held for questioning. Big problems at airports were caused by Delta computer outage,…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 30, 2017
protesters and the tears of Senator Schumer. Secretary Kelly said that all is going well with very few problems. MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 30, 2017
There is nothing nice about searching for terrorists before they can enter our country. This was a big part of my campaign. Study the world!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 30, 2017
If the ban were announced with a one week notice, the "bad" would rush into our country during that week. A lot of bad "dudes" out there!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 30, 2017