CAIR to sue Trump over executive order after hundreds pack OIA in protest

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Council on American-Islamic Relations said it will file a federal lawsuit Monday that challenges an executive order by President Donald Trump that bans immigration by citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries for 90 days.

The suit comes a day after more than 1,000 demonstrators packed Orlando International Airport to protest the order, which affects citizens from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen.

As protesters filled a food court in Terminal B on Sunday, three people were being held because of the ban, Rep. Darren Soto told Channel 9. Their detainment stretched more than eight hours, he said.

"It poses a lot of challenges. it is vague in many respects and broad in many respects," said Shahzad Ahmed, an immigration attorney with NeJame Law.

Ahmed called the executive order vague and said it has left many people, including him, confused.

He said once someone lands, the inspection process begins. An immigration inspector will check someone's paperwork, and if they're from one of the seven countries listed in the order, they'll be questioned or detained.

"About their nationality and the countries that they have traveled to; any other immigration issues they have," said Ahmed.

No one was detained or faced additional questions Monday at the airport.

Photos: Demonstrators protest Trump's travel ban at OIA

A permanent U.S. resident, originally from Iran, was held despite having her green card, and a couple visiting from Syria were also detained, Soto, D-Fla., said.

The couple's son, Elias Habbabeh, is a U.S. citizen. He told Channel 9 that despite supporting Trump, he was annoyed that his parents were held.

"They got their visa, and I already paid for a green card," he said. "I paid all those fees and everything."

Read: Hundreds of demonstrators pack OIA to protest Trump's executive order

The demonstration, which lasted about an hour, didn't cause any flight delays or delays at security checkpoints, and parking wasn't impacted, airport spokeswoman Carolyn Fennell said.

"There are no direct flights from the cited countries operating at MCO," she said in a statement. "Airport security and [the] Orlando Police Department maintained a presence to ensure protests were peaceful."

Seven others were held at Port Canaveral Sunday, causing protests there.

Leaders from across the nation reacted to the executive order Sunday, including U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla.

Read: Attorney: 7 detained after disembarking cruise at Port Canaveral

"We have to do everything we can to protect ourselves from those who want to do us harm," he said in a statement. "But a hastily issued policy that bans everyone from one of these seven countries from entering the U.S. -- including the Iraqi interpreters who served alongside our troops in Iraq -- is not the answer."

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said that though he generally supports additional vetting for many who enter the country, he said he has still has questions and concerns given the broad scope and nature of the changes.

Rubio said he's seeking clarity on the changes to the visa program.

Photos: Demonstrators protest Trump's travel ban at OIA

Cox Media Group