Trump travel ban allowed to take effect by Supreme Court

Author: AFP/Web Desk

WASHINGTON: The United States Supreme Court said Monday that the government could fully enforce a revised ban on travelers from six mainly Muslim countries pending appeal, backing President Donald Trump in the year-long battle over the controversial measure.

The court stayed October rulings from two lower courts that had blocked implementation of the ban on visitors from Chad, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen while legal challenges to it continued.

The third version of Trump´s travel ban, unveiled in September, drew immediate challenges in federal appeals courts in Richmond, Virginia and San Francisco, California.

Plaintiffs argued that the measure targets Muslims in violation of the US Constitution and did not advance security goals as the government claimed.

The challengers convinced the lower courts to put implementation on hold while they and government lawyers fight out the legality of the policy.

But the Trump administration, which says the ban is crucial to protect US national security and deter terror attacks, secured strong support from the Supreme Court in a 7-2 vote to let the government move ahead while the appeals continue.

“We are not surprised by today´s Supreme Court decision permitting immediate enforcement of the President´s proclamation limiting travel from countries presenting heightened risks of terrorism,” the White House said.

“The proclamation is lawful and essential to protecting our homeland. We look forward to presenting a fuller defense of the proclamation as the pending cases work their way through the courts,” it added.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation´s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, criticized the ruling.

“This decision ignores the very real human consequences to American citizens and their families abroad imposed by President Trump´s Muslim Ban 3.0,” said CAIR National Litigation Director Lena Masri.

The Supreme Court justices said they expect the lower appeals courts to expedite their decisions, leaving open the possibility that the policy could return to the Supreme Court in yet another legal challenge to the White House.

The San Francisco court will hear the case on Wednesday and the Richmond court on Friday.

Share
Leave a Comment

Recent Posts

  • Fashion

‘Collectibles’ by Sonraj hosts star-studded event to celebrate OMEGA’s legacy of precision and luxury

Karachi, 23 December 2024 – Sonraj hosted a star-studded event to celebrate legacy of OMEGA,…

3 hours ago
  • Op-Ed

Pakistan’s health system faces mounting challenges

Pakistan’s healthcare system is grappling with persistent challenges, leaving millions of citizens without adequate access…

5 hours ago
  • Top Stories

ICJ weighs States’ responsibility for climate change, ‘future of our planet’

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) held historic hearings from December 2 to 13 addressing…

5 hours ago
  • Pakistan

New undersea cable set to ‘enhance’ Pakistan’s internet speed

A new undersea internet cable is being installed, promising to significantly enhance internet speed and…

6 hours ago
  • Editorial

Becoming Footnotes

Until a few months ago, we were worried about being conveniently left out of a…

7 hours ago
  • Cartoons

TODAY’S CARTOON

7 hours ago