The US Department of Justice is formally appealing against a federal judge's ruling which suspended President Donald Trump's travel ban, arguing aliens have "no constitutional rights" to enter the United States.
Judge James Robart had questioned the constitutionality of his controversial executive order, which blocks citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the US.
The federal government's request, filed with the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals, asks for the judge's order to be lifted.
It warns thwarting enforcement of the executive order is harming the public and it is necessary "to ensure that those approved for admission do not intend to harm Americans and that they have no ties to terrorism".
The appeal adds it is a basic principle that "an alien seeking initial admission to the United States requests a privilege and has no constitutional rights regarding his application".
A panel of three judges will decide whether to uphold Mr Robart's order or suspend it pending a full appeal.
"We'll win. For the safety of our country, we'll win," Mr Trump told reporters.
Thousands of travellers from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen have been scrambling to catch flights to America since immigration restrictions were temporarily halted nationwide on Friday night.
Those who have valid visas or green cards are being urged to travel immediately.
President Trump has promised to overturn the "ridiculous" ruling and even launched a personal attack on Mr Robart, describing him as a "so-called judge" in a series of ill-tempered tweets.
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