Protesters block a road during a demonstration against the immigration ban in LA and WASHINGTON

Attorneys struggled to determine how many people had been affected so far by the rules, which Trump said were “working out very nicely.”

But critics described widespread confusion and said an untold number of travellers were being held in legal limbo because of ill-defined procedures. Others were released. Yet others report being pressured to sign waivers surrendering their green card status.

REPUBLICAN RUCKUS

Earlier, Mr Trump launched an attack on two key Republican senators who have expressed alarm at the chaos caused by his executive order banning and deporting immigrants.

He has taken to twitter to express his anger at Republican Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham.

“They are sadly weak on immigration,” Trump asserted. “Senators should focus their energies on ISIS, illegal immigration and border security instead of always looking to start World War III”.

Republican Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham had earlier lashed out at Trump’s executive order on immigration, saying it “will become a self-inflicted wound in the fight against terrorism.”

“Our most important allies in the fight against ISIL are the vast majority of Muslims who reject its apocalyptic ideology of hatred,” the senators said in a joint statement.

“This executive order sends a signal, intended or not, that America does not want Muslims coming into our country. That is why we fear this executive order may do more to help terrorist recruitment than improve our security.”

McCain also questioned the appointment of Trump campaign strategist, and former alt-right Breitbart website executive Steve Bannon to the National Security Council.

“I am worried about the National Security Council. Who are the members of it and who are the permanent members? The appointment of Mr Bannon is something which is a radical departure from any National Security Council in history,” McCain told CBS.

“The role of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has been diminished, I understand, with this reorganisation. The one person who is indispensable would be the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in my view,” McCain said of Dunford. “So it’s of concern, this ‘reorganisation.”

“As the chief legal officers for over 130 million Americans and foreign residents of our states, we condemn President Trump’s unconstitutional, un-American and unlawful Executive Order,” read the statement.

The attorneys general pledged to “work together to ensure the federal government obeys the Constitution, respects our history as a nation of immigrants and does not unlawfully target anyone because of their national origin or faith.”

Noting that several federal courts had already blocked parts of Trump’s order, the attorneys general said they would “use all of the tools of our offices to fight this unconstitutional order and preserve our nation’s national security and core values.”

They also predicted the courts would ultimately strike down the order.

“In the meantime, we are committed to working to ensure that as few people as possible suffer from the chaotic situation that it has created,” the statement said.