Judge temporarily blocks deportations under Muslim ban

US District Judge Ann Donnelly issued the order Saturday evening after lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union filed a court petition on behalf of people from seven predominantly Muslim nations who were detained at airports across the country as the ban took effect.

Donnelly issued a temporary stay against the order, finding it was likely to be found unconstitutional.

"The petitioners have a strong likelihood of success in establishing that the removal of the petitioner and others similarly situated violates their rights to Due Process and Equal Protection guaranteed by the United States Constitution," the decision reads.

Cheers broke out as the decision, which is effective across the country, was read outside the courtroom.

The emergency motion was brought by Hameed Darweesh, an Iraqi interpreter who served in the US military and Haider Sameer al-Shawi, an accountant working for a US contractor.

The two men, who were temporarily detained at JFK airport in New York before being later released, have both lost family members due to violence in Iraq.

"I would like to thank everyone who came to help me - this is humanity, this is the soul of America," Darweesh said after being released.

ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero said: "Clearly the judge understood the possibility for irreparable harm to hundreds of immigrants and lawful visitors to this country.