US citizens and Iranian relatives sue over travel ban

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — A group of American citizens and legal residents trying to bring Iranian spouses and other family to join them in the United States has filed a federal lawsuit saying they are being unfairly blocked by the travel ban.

The families sued late Monday in federal court in Santa Ana, California, saying they have waited months for waivers to be able to be reunited, but the U.S. government hasn’t issued them.

The lawsuit says escalating tensions between the United States and Iran cause the families additional stress, and they fear they could be separated indefinitely.

Messages requesting comment were sent to the departments of State and Homeland Security.

The Trump administration said waivers would be granted on an individual basis to families affected by the ban. But advocates say few have been issued.