Hailing ‘tremendous’ victory, US Supreme Court uphold Donald Trump’s 'travel ban'

Washington, June 27: A reason to rejoice, a reason to celebrate! Donald Trump hails tremendous victory over his decision on travel ban by the Supreme Court. Handling over one of the biggest victories of his presidency, the US Supreme Court upheld Donald Trump’s travel ban targeting several Muslim majority countries.

The apex court ruling, by a 5-4 Conservative-driven majority, came after lower courts had struck down each of the three versions of the president's travel ban. Upholding the travel ban, US Supreme Court ruled out stating that the US President has the authority to ban travelers from certain countries if he thinks that it is necessary to protect the country.

 

The 5-4 ruling, with the court's five conservatives in the majority, ends, for now, a fierce fight in the courts over whether the policy represented an unlawful Muslim ban. The court held that the opponents had failed to show that the ban violates either US immigration law or the US Constitution's First Amendment prohibition on the government favoring one religion over another.

Writing for the court, Chief Justice John Roberts said that the government "has set forth a sufficient national security justification" to prevail. The ruling affirmed broad presidential discretion over who is allowed to enter the United States. It means that the current ban can remain in effect and that US Prez Donald Trump could potentially add more countries. Donald Trump has said the policy is needed to protect the country against attacks by Islamic militants.

The current ban, announced in September, prohibits entry into the United States of most people from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen. The Supreme Court allowed it to go largely into effect in December while the legal challenge continued. Chad was subsequently removed from the list. In addition, the ban also covered North Korea and Venezuela.

The travel ban was one of Trump's signature hardline immigration policies that have been a central part of his presidency and "America First" approach. Trump issued his first version just a week after taking office, though it was quickly halted by the courts.