Trump cheers as court backs ban
UNITED STATES: US President Donald Trump is celebrating the partial reinstatement of his travel ban, describing the Supreme Court decision as ‘‘a clear victory for our national security’’.
The nine justices on the court ruled yesterday that citizens from six Muslim-majority countries - Somalia, Syria, Sudan, Iran, Yemen and Libya - cannot enter the US for 90 days unless they have family, business or study connections.
The court also reinstated Trump’s ban on refugees for 120 days.
The Supreme Court yesterday rose for its summer recess, and will consider the full travel ban when it returns in early October - by which point the 90-day ban would have expired, if Trump does implement it swiftly.
Trump said last week that he would begin enforcing the ban 72 hours after a court decision.
The president wanted a full ban on all arrivals from the six countries, plus Iraq, when he signed an executive order in January. But it was hastily announced, causing chaos at airports, and was challenged in the courts, leading to a temporary block on the law.
Trump was triumphant yesterday, despite concern from a Supreme Court judge as to how the ban would be implemented, and anger among refugee advocates.
The president, who was hosting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at the White House, said he felt ‘‘gratified’’ at the court’s ruling.
‘‘As president, I cannot allow people into our country who want to do us harm. I want people who can love the United States and all of its citizens, and who will be hard-working and productive,’’ he said.
‘‘My number one responsibility as commander in chief is to keep the American people safe. Today’s ruling allows me to use an important tool for protecting our nation’s homeland.’’
Travellers who already have a visa will still be able to enter the US. The American embassies in the six countries, however, will not be issuing new visas, unless a ’’bona fide relationship’’ between the applicant and a person or entity in the US can be proved.
Three of the justices, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch - appointed by Trump - dissented from part of the court’s opinion, and argued that they would have allowed the travel ban in its entirety while the court considered the case.
Thomas noted that the ruling was difficult to interpret.
‘‘I fear that the court’s remedy will prove unworkable,’’ he wrote. ‘‘Today’s compromise will burden executive officials with the task of deciding - on peril of contempt - whether individuals from the six affected nations who wish to enter the United States have a sufficient connection to a person or entity in this country.’’
David Miliband, chief executive of the International Rescue Committee, criticised the decision, pointing out that refugees already underwent intense screening and background checks, which often took 36 months. ’’Too much time already has been spent litigating this misguided order,’’ he said.
But the president was relieved to have one legislative victory chalked up, as he flounders with healthcare and struggle to implement tax reform.
Trump and Modi were expected to discuss arms sales and working together to combat terrorism.
Modi came to Washington looking to revitalise a relationship that thrived under former president Barack Obama but has appeared to flag as Trump has courted India’s rival China in an effort to persuade Beijing to do more to rein in North Korea.
Trump did not mention US differences with India on immigration and the Paris climate accord. – Telegraph Group, Reuters