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Exception In Immigration Ban Lets Hundreds Of Refugees Into The US

Nearly 900 refugees who were traveling to the U.S. as President Trump signed an immigration ban will still be allowed in.

By: Grant Suneson

Posted at 6:03 PM, Jan 31, 2017

and last updated 2017-01-31 18:03:00-05

President Trump's executive order barring immigrants from seven Muslim-majority nations isn't as ironclad as previously thought.

The Department of Homeland Security will admit 872 refugees into the country this week thanks to an exception in the order.

The order says refugees who were already in transit can be admitted into the U.S. if being forced to return would cause them "undue hardship."

The rollout of the executive order was marked by confusion about the rules and widespread outrage. Most recently, acting Attorney General Sally Yates was fired after she refused to enforce the rule.

Federal judges have stayed certain parts of the order that led to permanent residents being detained at airports for hours. Several legal challenges to the order are still pending.