Massive Protest at White House Over Trump's Executive Order on Immigrants, Refugees

WASHINGTON, DC — Protests against a U.S. travel ban for nationals from seven majority-Muslim countries moved from international airports to President Donald Trump's front yard on Sunday.

A large crowd has formed at the White House in response to the executive order that bars nationals from Iraq, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Iran, Yemen and Sudan from entering the U.S. for 90 days. Trump's order also bans the resettlement of refugees for four months and indefinitely suspends the entry of Syrian refugees.

Several federal judges stopped the detention of foreign travelers at U.S. airports Saturday, partially halting enforcement of the executive order. But protests continued Sunday, calling for a repeal of the order that has been seen by opponents as anti-Muslim and unAmerican.

• See: Judges Halt Deportation of Arriving Immigrants with Visas

"We'll never be divided, the people, united," was chanted by the large crowd at the White House Sunday, along with "No hate, no fear, refugees are welcome here."

Some of the outrage Saturday came after customs agents detained individuals with green cards that allow legal residence in the United States. The White House seemed to suggest on Sunday that people with green cards would not be subject to the order going forward.

Some signs at the White House rally were more inventive than others, but the general theme was a call to action for other voters and a demand that Congress step in and challenge the order.

Other protests were reported in large cities across the country, as well as a second day of protests at international airports were travelers were being detained.

At New York's Battery Park, Erwin Chen, 44, and his family carried signs that included, "Immigrants Make America Great."

"What happened yesterday and the day before, was a huge shock to all of us," Chen told Patch. "We really wanted to do something to show this is unacceptable."

Protesters were planning to return to Dulles International Airport late Sunday afternoon. A major airport hub for D.C. officials, Dulles saw one of the more high-profile protests on Saturday, drawing hundreds of protesters, as well as politicians like Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J.

On Sunday, the ACLU had warned protesters to await a permit due to concerns about arrests if there were complaints at the busy airport. The organization announced mid-afternoon that the permits had been obtained and encouraged supporters begin arriving at the Dulles airport to protest the executive order.

Includes reporting by Patch staff | Top image via YouTube