There were cheers from the large crowds gathered outside international airports when the temporary ban on deportations was announced late last night.
Judge Ann Donnelly from the Brooklyn district court granted the stay on deportations after Donald Trump signed an executive order targeting citizens from seven mostly Muslim countries.
She ruled that the risk of injury to those detained by being returned to their home countries necessitated the decision which lasts for 7 days.
American Civil Liberties Union, who filed the motion, said that between 100 and 200 people are being detained at airports or in transit.
Thousands of people have been protesting at US airports over Mr Trump's clampdown on immigration - he initiated a 90-day travel ban for nationals from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
The
BBC reports the following reactions from around the world:
"The feeling of injustice is so big, and this ban is so demeaning! Shame!" - Syrian scientist working on skin cancer research and living in Germany who now finds she cannot travel to Philadelphia in February to visit colleagues.
"Dreams shattered" - cardiology fellow from Jordan whose Syrian wife's family cannot come to visit in the US.
"We may try our chances with other countries" - Iranian professional in Washington DC, whose wife is now stuck in Iran.
However, the Department of Homeland issued a statement saying the court order only affects a small number of travellers and that the White House order still stands.
(Image via USA Today) 
