Acting attorney general defies Trump, tells Justice Department not to defend refugee ban

Acting US Attorney General Sally Yates - an appointee of former President Barack Obama - has told the Justice Department not to defend President Donald Trump's controversial executive order on immigrants and refugees, according to several media reports on Monday.

Yates, who will be replaced by Trump's appointee Jeff Sessions once he's confirmed, denounced the executive order in a letter to Justice Department lawyers, saying it may not be lawful.

"I am responsible for ensuring that the positions we take in court remain consistent with this institution's solemn obligation to always seek justice and stand for what is right," Yates said in the letter.

"At present, I am not convinced that the defense of the executive order is consistent with these responsibilities nor am I convinced that the executive order is lawful."

Trump's executive action, authorized on Friday, calls for a temporary halt on all refugees coming to the US, and bars the entry of foreign nationals from seven Muslim-majority countries. The order has sparked protests in streets and airports across the country, and has been roundly condemned from members of both parties.

Yates's directive is generally a symbolic one and will only be enforced until she leaves office. Sessions is expected to be confirmed later this week.