Judge Cannon ordered the release be put on hold until a higher appeals court, the Eleventh Circuit in Atlanta, considered an emergency appeal from Mr Nauta and Mr De Oliveir.

They have also argued that the case should be put on hold due to his imminent return to the White House.

The program fizzled during the COVID-19 pandemic when in-person visits were put on hold.

Some bereaved relatives were recently told their interim compensation payments, due to be made before Christmas, had suddenly been put on hold until they could provide extra documentation.

On Monday Germany's Federal Office for Migration and Refugees put on hold all pending applications from Syrian asylum seekers.