Now that the Supreme Court has allowed for parts of President Donald Trump’s travel ban ahead of the court’s impending fall review of the entire policy, the “watered-down” version of the plan has taken effect.
The travel ban — which bars foreign nationals from predominantly Muslim countries who don’t meet specified requirements from the U.S. — went into effect at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT on Thursday.
Just minutes before that time, an emergency motion was filed in Hawaii’s federal district court to further limit categories of foreign nationals barred from the country.
Countries targeted by the ban are Libya, Syria, Iran, Somalia, Yemen and Sudan. Foreign nationals from those countries must have a “credible claim of bona fide relationship” with a person living in the U.S. or an organization — like a school or a place of employment — according to the Supreme Court’s ruling.
If individuals from the aforementioned countries cannot prove a close relationship, they are banned for 90 days — and 120 days if individual are refugees from any country.
Trump hailed Monday’s Supreme Court announcement as “a clear victory.”
“Today’s unanimous Supreme Court decision is a clear victory for our national security,” Trump said in a statement. “It allows the travel suspension for the six terror-prone countries and the refugee suspension to become largely effective. As President, I cannot allow people into our country who want to do us harm. I want people who can love the United States and all of its citizens, and who will be hardworking and productive.”
POTUS went on: “My number one responsibility as Commander in Chief is to keep the American people safe. 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 will hear the case in October. Until then, it has allowed a watered-down version of the ban.
This is Trump’s second attempt to pass a travel ban. The first executive order was issued in late January.