Travel ban’s OK for now – Supremes

A DIVIDED Supreme Court allowed the full enforcement of President Trump’s travel ban targeting six mostly Muslim countries Monday while his administration fights challenges to the controversial policy in lower courts.

The action by the justices represents a major victory for Trump and suggests the high court may uphold the latest version of the ban announced in September.

Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor cast the two dissenting votes. They would have left in place lower court orders limiting the ban while appeals wound through the courts.

With the ban in effect, Trump will be able to restrict the entry of people from the six targeted nations, even if they have a relationship with a U.S. person or institution.

The six nations are Chad, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen.

White House spokesman Hogan Gidley noted the ruling permitted “immediate enforcement” of the ban.

“The proclamation is lawful and essential to protecting our homeland,” Gidley said.

Opponents of the ban noted that the Supreme Court’s move did not represent a ruling on the merits of the proposal.

“We continue to stand for freedom, equality, and for those who are unfairly being separated from their loved ones,” ACLU attorney Omar Jadwat said.

Quick resolution by appellate courts on the legality of the ban would allow the Supreme Court to hear and decide the issue by the end of June.