WASHINGTON—On February 9, 2017, a
three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
issued a unanimous decision upholding a lower court’s temporary restraining
order (TRO) blocking the implementation of several key provisions of Executive
Order 13769. The TRO was put in place by the U.S. District Court for the
Western District of Washington on February 3, 2017. The provisions that that
have temporarily been blocked by the TRO include: a 120 day halt of the U.S.
refugee resettlement program; an indefinite prohibition of resettling and
admitting Syrian refugees; a preference for resettling Christian minorities; a
case by case evaluation of refugee admission during the 120 day pause on
resettlement; and a 90 day prohibition on entry, travel, and visas for
individuals from the seven identified predominantly-Muslim countries of Iraq,
Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

In response to the Appeals Court
ruling, Most Reverend Joe Vasquez, Bishop of Austin, Texas, and Chair of the
Committee on Migration stated: “We welcome the decision of the 9th Circuit
Court of Appeals. We respect the rule of law and the American judicial process.
We remain steadfast in our commitment to resettling refugees and all those
fleeing persecution. At this time, we remain particularly dedicated to ensuring
that affected refugee and immigrant families are not separated and that they
continue to be welcomed to our country. We will continue to welcome the
newcomer as it is a vital part of our Catholic faith and an enduring element of
our American values and tradition.”

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Keywords: Bishop Joe Vasquez,
U.S. Court of Appeals for Ninth Circuit, temporary restraining order (TRO),
Executive Order, refugee resettlement, Syrian refugees, Christian minorities,
travel, Muslim countries, newcomers.

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Media Contact:
Judy Keane 202-541-3200

Source:: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops