The Latest: Judge grants Hawaii’s request on refugees

HONOLULU (AP) — The Latest on a judge’s ruling expanding the list of relatives exempt from President Donald Trump’s travel ban (all times local):

6:15 p.m.

A federal judge says the government may not exclude refugees who have formal assurance from a resettlement agency in the U.S.

U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson ruled Thursday that President Donald Trump’s travel ban can’t be enforced against refugees who have assurance that an agency will receive the refugee and provide placement services.

His ruling also expands the list of relatives allowed in under the travel ban.

The U.S. Supreme Court last month exempted visa applicants from the ban if they can prove a “bona fide” relationship with a U.S. citizen or entity.

President Donald Trump’s administration said a bona fide relationship would be a parent, spouse, fiance, son, daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law or sibling already in the U.S.

Hawaii successfully sought to include other relatives including grandparents.

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5:45 p.m.

A federal judge in Hawaii has expanded the Trump administration’s list of family relationships needed by people seeking new visas from six mostly Muslim countries to avoid a travel ban.

U.S. District Court Judge Derrick Watson ruled Thursday that the travel ban exemptions should include grandparents, grandchildren, uncles, aunts and other relatives.

The U.S. Supreme Court last month exempted visa applicants from the ban if they can prove a “bona fide” relationship with a U.S. citizen or entity.

President Donald Trump’s administration said a bona fide relationship would be a parent, spouse, fiance, son, daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law or sibling already in the U.S.

Hawaii filed a renewed request to expand the list.

Watson says grandparents are the “epitome” of close family members.

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11:45 a.m.

A federal judge could decide soon on Hawaii’s renewed attempt to expand the list or relatives exempt from President Donald Trump’s travel ban.

Hawaii wants the judge to rule on the scope of the ban on travelers from six mostly Muslim countries. U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson gave Hawaii until Thursday to file a response to the government’s opposition

Hawaii filed documents Wednesday saying it’s cruel to enforce the ban against grandmothers and other relatives of U.S. citizens who were excluded from the government’s definition.

The government says Hawaii is repackaging a clarification motion that Watson previously denied.

Hawaii says it is following instructions from an appeals court panel. The court says Watson can’t clarify the Supreme Court’s travel ban order, but he can interpret and enforce it.

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