Judges reject President Trump's travel ban appeal

                             

Federal Judge James Robart halted the ban after questioning the constitutionality of the President's controversial executive order, which blocks citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the US and all refugees.

The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco on Sunday denied a formal request by the US Department of Justice to lift the ruling.
Instead, it gave the Trump administration until Monday afternoon to file more arguments - and challengers of the ban, including the states of Washington and Minnesota, to respond to the emergency appeal.
Acting solicitor general Noel Francisco had argued on Saturday night that the President's authority is "largely immune from judicial control" when it comes to deciding who can enter or stay in the US.
The federal government warned thwarting enforcement of the executive order risked harming the public and added aliens have "no constitutional rights" to enter the United States.
President Trump, who argues the restrictions are aimed at stopping terrorist attacks in the US, has pledged to overturn the "ridiculous" ruling.
The President's decree, signed on 27 January, barred entry for 120 days of any refugees awaiting resettlement.
It has been heavily criticised by human rights campaigners who say the ban is against Muslims - but officials deny this.

Thousands of travellers from the affected countries have been scrambling to catch flights to the US since Mr Robart's ruling on Friday.