Appeals court rules travel ban violates law

A federal appeals court panel on Friday ruled that President Donald Trump’s third U.S.-entry ban violates the law — although the judges put their own decision on hold until the Supreme Court can weigh in.

In a 77-page decision, the three-judge panel with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled that Trump had again exceeded his lawful authority in issuing the latest ban and that he had not made a legally sufficient finding that entry of those blocked would be “detrimental to the interests of the United States.”

The ruling, however, is of little immediate consequence, as the judges said they would put it on hold pending consideration by the Supreme Court, which has allowed the ban to take effect.

In a statement, Justice Department spokesman Lauren Ehrsam said: “We are pleased that the Supreme Court has already allowed the government to implement the Proclamation and keep all Americans safe while this matter is litigated. We continue to believe that the order should be allowed to take effect in its entirety.”

Trump’s latest ban blocks various travelers from eight countries from entering the United States. Two federal judges had earlier blocked its implementation, at least in part, although the Supreme Court this month allowed it to fully take effect while the legal battle ran its course through the courts.

The 9th Circuit panel said it would let stand a lower court judge’s block of the ban, although it would allow the government to enforce the measure on those without any bona fide U.S. ties.