Donald Trump has defended strict travel restrictions placed on people from seven Muslim-majority nations, saying they will prevent a "horrible mess" in the US.
President Trump's controversial executive order for "extreme vetting" means no visas are being issued for 90 days to migrants or visitors from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
The ban, which is also affecting legal US citizens who were born in these countries, has been denounced as "divisive" and "shameful".
But Mr Trump has defended the measure in an apparent reference to recent terror attacks across Europe.
He tweeted: "Our country needs strong borders and extreme vetting, NOW. Look what is happening all over Europe and, indeed, the world - a horrible mess!"
America's immigration system was plunged into disarray in the wake of the executive order.
Some green card holders flying home to the US were taken into custody at airports upon arrival - with dozens of immigration lawyers attempting to help the stranded.
A judge ruled that those who had already landed in the US with valid visas could be temporarily allowed to stay in the country.
The American Civil Liberties Union, which won the federal district court judgment, said the ruling proved "we are a democratic republic where the powers of government are not dictatorial".
As of Saturday night, customs and border protection officials had denied entry to more than 170 people.
Others who were about to board flights back to the US were told they could not travel - and the Department of Homeland Security contacted airlines recommending them to deny boarding to certain passengers.
White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus said the implementation of the order "wasn't chaos", adding that 109 travellers were detained across the US on Saturday.
He told NBC the "couple dozen" that are still being held would likely be released later on Sunday.
Enforcement of the executive order for those landing in the States was described as patchy and disorganised, and some American airports were more lenient than others.
The ban sparked protests at airports in New York, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas.
It has also created uncertainty for refugees who were about to begin a new life in the States, as all resettlements have been suspended for at least 120 days while tougher vetting rules are established. Syrian refugees have been specifically barred from the US indefinitely.
One aid organisation said it knew of 2,000 refugees who had been scheduled to relocate to the US next week.
Washington governor Jay Inslee, speaking at Seattle-Tacoma Airport, condemned the "chaos and cruelty" of Mr Trump's policy.
Signing the order into force on Friday, the President said it was a necessary step to stop "radical Islamic terrorists" from coming to the US and stressed the decree was "not a Muslim ban".
Mr Trump has faced condemnation from leaders around the world, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel saying the fight against terrorism "doesn't justify putting people of a particular origin or particular faith under general suspicion".
American technology giants have also responded furiously to the immigration clampdown.
In an apparent reference to Steve Jobs, the son of a Syrian immigrant, Apple chief executive Tim Cook said the tech firm "would not exist without immigration, let alone thrive and innovate the way we do."
Airbnb co-founder Brian Chesky has pledged free housing "to refugees and anyone not allowed in the US".
Meanwhile, Google has urged its employees from the seven countries affected to cancel any travel plans outside the US.
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