Gov. Andrew Cuomo. | AP Photo/Seth Wenig Cuomo says state will explore helping detainees at airports after Trump's order

ALBANY, N.Y. — Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Saturday night that he has directed several government entities to “explore all legal options” that might be available to help individuals detained at state airports as a result of an executive order issued by President Donald Trump on Friday.

At the same time, one of these entities initially announced that it would effectively limit the ability of individuals to protest the order, before Cuomo said he had asked for that step to be reversed.


Trump’s order bans citizens of seven countries with significant Muslim majorities from entering the United States. John F. Kennedy International Airport, which is operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, became the flashpoint for protests against the order Saturday after The New York Times described the ordeal of a former Army interpreter who was detained there and reports emerged of others detained at the airport.

In a release from his campaign committee Saturday, Cuomo, as he’s fond of doing, quoted Emma Lazarus.

“I never thought I'd see the day when refugees, who have fled war-torn countries in search of a better life, would be turned away at our doorstep. We are a nation of bridges, not walls, and a great many of us still believe in the words ‘give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses,’” he said. “This is not who we are, and not who we should be.”

In a separate release from the state on Saturday, the governor added that he’s tasked two offices he directly controls and the Port Authority to begin exploring ways to help the detainees.

"I have directed the Port Authority, the Department of State, and my Counsel's Office to jointly explore all legal options to assist anyone detained at New York airports, and ensure that their rights are protected,” Cuomo said. "America is a nation of laws, and those laws provide rights that must be respected and followed regardless of political ideology."

State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman issued a similar statement on Saturday night, saying he “will do everything in [his] power to help those who have been victimized by President Trump’s discriminatory and dangerous executive action.”

He added that his staff “has been in contact with lawyers for the detained refugees.”

Soon after Cuomo made his declaration, the Port Authority announced that in order “to control crowding,” it would require tickets to access the AirTrain that numerous individuals have used to arrive at a large protest outside JFK’s Terminal 4. This prompted the scorn of some Democrats.

“I am told to prevent NYers joining JFK protest you are requiring airline tix at AirTrain,” wrote Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer in a tweet directed at the Port Authority. “If true, unacceptable. Explain immediately.”

Just after 8 p.m., the governor said he had ordered the Port Authority to change course.

"One of the fundamental rights that is granted to the people of this country is the right to peacefully protest," he said in an official statement. "I have ordered the Port Authority to reverse its decision regarding the JFK AirTrain. I have also directed the MTA and the New York State Police to assist with transportation and security needs to ensure the safety of all those participating. The people of New York will have their voices heard."

A number of other New York officials have participated in the protests. U.S. Reps. Nydia Velázquez and Jerry Nadler were at the airport Saturday to announce the release of the detained interpreter, Hameed Jhalid Darweesh.

“This is the soul of America,” Darweesh said while embracing Velázquez.