Supreme Court allows part of Donald Trump’s travel ban to take effect

It's victory at last for US president Donald Trump after the Supreme Court on Monday agreed to allow parts of his temporary travel ban on travelers from six Muslim-majority countries and all refugees to go into effect in the meantime. The court said it will review the legality of the ban in October, a ruling that come as a relief after a series of lower court defeats.

The court said it will hear arguments on the ban — which denied visas to citizens of six majority Muslim countries including Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. It also paused admission of refugees from across the globe in the meantime.

Map of the banned countries

The court's decision which cut down version of Trump's ban will allow the ban to go into effect for foreign nationals who lack any "bona fide relationship with any  individuals, businesses or organizations in the United States.

 

Trump has  praised the Supreme Court's decision.

Today's unanimous Supreme Court decision is a clear victory for our national security, Trump said in a statement released by the White House.

Today's ruling allows me to use an important tool for protecting our Nation's homeland.

I am also particularly gratified that the Supreme Court’s decision was 9-0.

The court's opinion explained the kinds of relationships people from the six countries must demonstrate to obtain a US visa.

-For individuals, a close familial relationship is required.
-For people who want to come to the United States to work or study, the relationship must be formal, documented and formed in the ordinary course, not for the purpose of evading the travel ban.