UPDATED at 3:36 p.m. PT:
President Donald Trump has responded to the ruling on Twitter, writing, “SEE YOU IN COURT, THE SECURITY OF OUR NATION IS AT STAKE!”
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/829836231802515457
PREVIOUSLY:
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals court has upheld the suspension of President Donald Trump’s travel ban.
In the ruling, the three judge panel stated Thursday that the suspension of Trump’s executive order banning travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries issued by a Seattle judge will not be overturned, the Associated Press reported.
It is still possible that the Trump administration could appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Trump’s order called for a 90-day ban on the admission of any citizen of Iran or six other Muslim-majority countries even if they have valid visas. The order was met with protests across the country.
Trump’s executive order did allow for exceptions, noting that “the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security may, on a case-by-case basis, and when in the national interest, issue visas or other immigration benefits to nationals of countries for which visas and benefits are otherwise blocked.”
Trump’s executive order was founded on a claim of national security, but lawyers for Washington and Minnesota told the appellate court the administration’s move hurts residents, businesses and universities and is unconstitutional.
Trump previously tore into the “so-called judge” who originally ruled against the travel ban on Twitter, ripping U.S. District Judge James L. Robart for his decision on to temporarily suspend enforcement of the executive order.