• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Your Privacy Choices
  • Contact Us
  • Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
  • © 2026 ABC News
  • News

Timeline of Turmoil: The Rollout of Trump's Immigration Order

1:15
Shawn Thew/Getty Images
What President Trump's Executive Order Does
Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
ByMeridith McGraw
January 31, 2017, 10:57 PM

— -- The weekend after Donald Trump rolled out his controversial executive order on immigration, a chaotic scene ensued in airports across the country.

A chorus of dissenters protested, while confused customs agents asked for clarity on how to proceed.

Civil rights attorneys filed legal challenges, and a federal judge in Brooklyn blocked deportations.

Soon, it emerged that some key members of Trump's own administration, as well as congressional leadership, had not been fully in the loop -- if at all -- on the scope and language of the action taken Friday afternoon.

"The rollout was confusing," House Speaker Paul Ryan admitted at a press conference this morning. "But on a go-forward basis I’m confident that Homeland Security Secretary Kelly is going to make sure this is done correctly, that they get a good review, and that we are going to make sure we get this program up and running with the kind of vetting standards we want to see."

Here's what we know about how the order was rolled out:

At 4:39 p.m. on Friday at the Pentagon, Trump appeared to take action on his 2016 campaign promise to impose tougher immigration laws, signing an executive order that promised to keep “radical Islamic terrorists out of the United States of America.”

Up Next in News—

Ella Langley's Tulsa show canceled over 'serious security threat'; police say no credible threat found

October 10, 2026

What to know about storm surge dangers as Hurricane Isaias nears Florida Panhandle

October 9, 2026

New report says only 6% of adults are eating enough fiber: How to eat more

October 2, 2026

Texas zoo welcomes first Sumatran tiger cubs

October 2, 2026

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your Privacy Choices
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap
  • Recalls and Product Safety Alerts

© 2026 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Your Privacy Choices— 
  • Contact Us— 
  • Recalls and Product Safety Alerts— 

© 2026 ABC News