North Carolina Attorney General Joins Travel Ban Lawsuit

North Carolina's Attorney General Josh Stein is joining 16 other attorneys general in opposing the Trump administration's immigration ban.

Stein's office said in a news release Tuesday it supports the efforts by the states of Washington and Minnesota in fighting the ban. The order barred immigrants, refugees and some legal U.S. residents from seven predominantly Muslim nations.

Stein said the president's executive order undermines a core American value of religious tolerance and will make the country less safe. Stein says he considers President Trump's order unconstitutional.

The attorney general's announcement comes on the heels of four federal judges issuing orders since Saturday night to halt parts of Trump's ban.

Republicans in North Carolina immediately criticized Stein. A statement from the GOP state party said Stein's position would weaken America's national defenses.

A hearing on the state's lawsuit was scheduled in San Francisco Tuesday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.