Tuesday June 26, 2018
The US Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld President Donald Trump's controversial ban on travellers from five mostly Muslim countries — a major victory for the Republican leader after a tortuous legal battle.
In a majority opinion written by Chief Justice John Roberts, the court ruled 5-4 that the most recent version of the ban, which the administration claims is justified by national security concerns, was valid.
"In short, the language... is clear, and the Proclamation does not exceed any textual limit on the President's authority," Roberts wrote.
"The Government has set forth a sufficient national security justification to survive rational basis review. We express no view on the soundness of the policy."
The version of the travel ban at issue was the third iteration, and applies to travellers from North Korea and five mainly Muslim nations — Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen — or about 150 million people.
Certain officials from Venezuela are also targeted by the measure.
"SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS TRUMP TRAVEL BAN. Wow!" a jubilant Trump tweeted after the ruling.
The decision — which follows a court hearing in April — is the culmination of a battle that began just days after Trump took office in January 2017.
One week into his presidency, he followed through with a campaign promise and announced a 90-day ban on travellers from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
Prepared in secret, the sudden order created chaos as hundreds of travellers were blocked at airports.