In a landmark ruling, Tuesday, the United States Supreme Court has endorsed President Donald Trump’s travel ban on some Moslem-majority countries.
The decision to allow the ban to come into effect was taken by five justices out of nine, in a majority ruling.
When implemented, citizens of Iran, North Korea, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Yemen and Venezuela will face thorough screening before being allowed into the US.
The court held it was within Mr Trump’s discretionary powers to reduce the inflow of migrants to the US, especially from Muslim-majority countries.
The decision was contained in a majority opinion delivered by the US Chief Justice, John Roberts.
Justices Clarence Thomas, Anthony Kennedy, Neil Gorsuch and Samuel Alito, all conservatives, concurred with the ruling out of the nine members of the court.
However, liberal Justices Elena Kagan, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor and Stephen Breyer, opposed the ruling.
In his ruling, Mr. Roberts stated, “The president has lawfully exercised the broad discretion granted to him under federal law.”
The court insisted that the US president only needed to formally determine that the entry of certain class of aliens is detrimental to the country’s interests.
It, therefore, held that Mr. Trump’s order has satisfied that requirement of the law.
Mr. Roberts argued that the president’s proclamation – including the process, agency evaluations, and recommendations underlying the restrictions – is more detailed than any prior order a president has issued under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
Based on the proclamation, the court held that only about eight percent of the world’s Muslim population is affected by the policy.
It also noted that it is a key element that stood out as a significant shortcoming of the plaintiffs’ argument on the spirit of the order.
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The court said the presidential order has provided a waiver program to all affected potential migrants.
For instance, it maintained that certain nationals, including students on exchange programme from sanctioned countries are exempted from the entry ban, another fact the court upheld the president’s claim he was not targeting Muslims.
Reacting to the ruling, Mr. Trump hailed the decision and insisted that the Supreme Court has vindicated his immigration and national security policies.
In a statement by the White House, Mr. Trump is quoted to have said, “The Supreme Court has upheld the clear authority of the president to defend the national security of the United States.
“In this era of worldwide terrorism and extremist movements bent on harming innocent civilians, we must properly vet those coming into our country.”
“This ruling is also a moment of profound vindication following months of hysterical commentary from the media and Democratic politicians who refuse to do what it takes to secure our border and our country.
“As long as I am president, I will defend the sovereignty, safety, and security of the American people, and fight for an immigration system that serves the national interests of the United States and its citizens,” the president concluded.
