Protesters leave placards near the US Capitol Building after Sunday's protest in Washington DC around 4:30 pm. Throughout the day, thousands of demonstrators gathered at airports and the US capital to protest an executive order that temporarily bars refugees, migrants and even green-card holders from seven mostly Muslim countries from entering the US. They also denounced President Donald Trump's order to build a wall on the border with Mexico. [Photo by Zhao Huanxin / chinadaily.com.cn]

WASHINGTON - Thousands of protesters rallied in front of the White House on Sunday while demonstrations continued across more than 30 American airports after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order temporarily barring all refugees and seven Mideast and North African countries' citizens from entry into the US.

The Lafayette Square before the White House was packed by protesters against Trump's ban from noontime as more demonstrators were still arriving, witnesses said.

They wielded poster boards bearing messages such as "Ban Trump" "Refugees Welcome" and chanted "No hate! No fear! Refugees are welcome here!"

Protests are also scheduled throughout the day in Philadelphia, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Seattle and Chicago, said a CNN report.

In Boston's Copley Square, thousands of people also gathered to protest the immigration ban, according to a report from the USA Today.

Earlier on Sunday, White House counselor Kellyanne Conway said the international travel disruptions in the wake of the ban was "a small price to pay" for greater security of the United States.

On contrary, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Sunday said Democrats are considering legal actions to overturn the order.

A federal judge in New York on Saturday night granted an emergency stay temporarily halting the removal of people who, though with previously approved refugee applications or with valid visas, had ben detained following Trump's refugee and immigration order.

Similar rulings were later issued in Virginia, Massachusetts and Washington state, said a TheHill news daily report.

Under the order, refugees from all over the world will be suspended US entry for 120 days while all immigration from so-called "countries with terrorism concerns" will be suspended for 90 days. Countries included in the ban are Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen.