Supreme court allows Trump travel ban
President hails ‘victory’ after Supreme Court rules that citizens of six Muslim countries cannot enter US
Donald Trump was last night celebrating the partial reinstatement of his controversial travel ban, describing the supreme court decision as “a clear victory for our national security”. The nine justices on the court ruled 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.
PRESIDENT Donald Trump was last night 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 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 Mr 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 Mr Trump does implement it swiftly.
Mr 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.
Mr 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, 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 hardworking 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 embassies in the six countries, however, will not be issuing new visas, unless the “bona fide relationship” can be proved.
David Miliband, chief executive of the International Rescue Committee, criticised the decision, pointing out that refugees already undergo intense screening and background checks, which often take 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.
Mr Trump yesterday welcomed Narendra Modi, the Indian prime minister, to the White House and declared that ties between Washington and New Delhi had “never been stronger”. Mr Modi said they agreed to enhance co-operation in fighting terrorism – and that he had invited Mr Trump to visit India.
Mr Trump and Mr Modi were expected to discuss arms sales and working together to combat terrorism.
Mr Modi was likely to raise his concerns about America pulling out of the Paris climate agreement.
The Senate Republican healthcare bill would leave 22 million more Americans uninsured in 2026 than under President Barack Obama’s healthcare law, a congressional report has found, in a blow to Republican leaders’ hopes of pushing the plan through the chamber this week.