WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court of the United States recently decided President Donald Trump’s travel ban will be reinstated, in part. The ban was implemented just a few days after the June 26th decision. Trump’s executive order is now commonly referred to as the “travel ban”. It was blocked by several lower courts. Some citing religious freedom, granted by the first amendment, as a reason to block it.
Since it has been implemented, we wanted to tell you what you need to know and how it impacts you.
Ban on Individuals
The travel ban restricts entry in to the United States for some foreign nationals from six countries including Iran, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, Libya and Syria. Once enacted it’s expected to last three months.
The Supreme Court states the lower courts, “should not have asked whether [the travel ban] has a primary religious purpose. The court instead should have upheld the executive order because it rests on the “legitimate and bona fide justification of protecting national security.”
Ban on Refugees
The travel ban also includes some refugees from the same countries we’ve already mentioned. That ban is expected to last four months.
Exceptions to the Ban
The Supreme court did decide to continue blocking some parts of Trump’s executive order. Individuals and refugees who have a “credible claim of a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States” can continue to enter the country. The court also explained what those relationships should look like.
“For individuals, a close familial relationship is required,” the opinion states. That includes parents, spouses, children, adult sons and daughters, siblings, fiancés and sons and daughters-in-law.
“As for entities, the relationship must be formal, documented, and formed in the ordinary course, rather than for the purpose of evading the [executive order].” Business relationships with schools and employers must be proved.
Supreme Court Will Make a Final Ruling
As part of their June 26th opinion the Supreme Court also stated they will hear arguments for and against the full travel ban in October of 2017. After the arguments are heard the Supreme Court Justices will take time to craft a final ruling for the executive order as a whole. In the meantime it will remain partially in effect.