Immigration travel ban

President Trump plans to issue a revised version of his temporary travel ban targeting majority-Muslim countries as early as Tuesday, with a likely focus on fewer people so it will survive legal challenges.The new order, according to a draft obtained by the Associated Press, would focus on the same seven countries — Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen —  but would only bar entry to those without a visa and who have never entered the United States before. Unlike the original order, people from those countries who already have permanent U.S. residency (green cards) or visas would not face any restrictions.Trump's first attempt to institute the ban last month led to widespread chaos around the world, as foreigners with green cards and visas were detained at U.S. airports and barred from boarding U.S. flights. That executive order was blocked by several federal judges, who ruled it may have violated … [Read more...] about Trump set to issue streamlined immigrant travel ban

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court agreed Monday to let President Trump's immigration travel ban go into effect for some travelers, reversing the actions of lower federal courts that had put the controversial policy completely on hold.The court also agreed to hear the case involving travelers from six predominantly Muslim countries and international refugees in October, leaving open the chance that it could reverse Monday's verdict if challengers can prove the ban is illegal or unconstitutional.The justices' action gives Trump a partial victory following a string of defeats from coast to coast, and he wasted no time applauding it."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."That was immediately contested by immigrant rights and civil liberties groups challenging the travel … [Read more...] about Supreme Court reinstates Trump’s travel ban, but only for some immigrants

WASHINGTON — Lawyers on both sides of the dispute over President Trump's immigration travel ban agreed on one thing Monday: The president likely hurt his case at the Supreme Court with a series of early-morning tweets.By referring to the latest version of the temporary ban on most travelers from six predominantly Muslim countries as "politically correct" and calling for a "much tougher version," they said, Trump made it seem he doesn't support his own policy.By acknowledging that the government already is engaged in "EXTREME VETTING" of foreigners seeking entry to the United States, they said, he raised questions about the need for an executive order to provide 90 days to review and improve counter-terrorism screening procedures.And by calling the courts "slow and political," they said, he renewed his feud with the judiciary and particular judges begun in February, when the earliest rulings against the travel ban were issued."In general, talkative clients pose distinct … [Read more...] about Trump’s ‘TRAVEL BAN’ tweets may hurt his case at Supreme Court

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York officials on Monday continued to protest the federal immigration order put in place late Friday, calling it unconstitutional and vowing to fight it in the courts.The state's Attorney General Eric Schneiderman joined 15 other attorneys general from across the nation to oppose President Trump's order to bar citizens from seven nations from entering the country.Schneiderman said New York is still trying to figure out who has been detained at New York airport and to find ways to get their proper legal representation."We are all in agreement that portions of this executive order are unconstitutional and ultimately will be struck down," Schneiderman said Monday on CBS' This Morning."We are very concerned about people who will be hurt between now and that ultimate ruling." Reaction continuesState Democratic leaders, including Gov. Andrew Cuomo, vowed to fight for the rights of immigrants caught up in the federal order from the seven … [Read more...] about N.Y. attorney general: There’s ‘chaos’ over immigrant travel ban

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court should drop its review of President Trump's immigration travel ban and wipe lower court decisions against it off the books, the Justice Department said Thursday.The request was opposed by states and immigrant rights groups that have fought various versions of the ban since January. They told the court to reschedule the case, or at least to let the earlier rulings stand.The high court could decide within the next few days whether to declare the case moot because the Trump administration has replaced an expired ban on six majority-Muslim countries with a new one targeting eight nations. In addition, a ban on worldwide refugees will expire in three weeks.The procedural skirmish will determine both the timetable for challenges to the immigration and refugee policies and their chances of success. For the time being, the justices have removed the case, previously scheduled for oral argument next Tuesday, from their calendar.If the … [Read more...] about Trump urges Supreme Court to drop travel ban case

WASHINGTON — As President Trump's effort to ban some travelers from six predominantly Muslim countries heads to yet another federal appeals court next week, the federal government's lawyers can't be blamed for looking further ahead — to the Supreme Court.Nearly all the judges who have heard the administration claim the right to restrict immigration from countries it deems as security risks have said the travel ban discriminates against immigrants based on their religion. As proof, they have cited statements Trump made during the election campaign.The 4th Circuit and 9th Circuit appeals courts now considering the case are likely to agree, based on their makeup — both have a majority of judges nominated by Democratic presidents. But the Supreme Court may be another story.Chief Justice John Roberts is a strong proponent of executive authority, particularly in foreign affairs. Justice Samuel Alito has spent his entire career working for … [Read more...] about Will Supreme Court rescue Trump’s immigration travel ban?

Here's a look at noteworthy statements by President Trump and his advisers on his immigration travel ban, from December 2015 to the present:Trump speaking during a press conference:Trump speaking on MSNBC:Trump speaking on CNN:Trump speaking on Fox Business Network:Trump speaking on NBC, answering whether he had scaled back his call for a Muslim ban by focusing on countries instead:Trump speaking during the second presidential debate in St. Louis:Trump when asked whether recent violence in Europe had affected his plans to ban Muslims:Trump speaking to the Christian Broadcasting Network, explaining a provision in his first travel ban that gives immigration preference to religious minorities:Trump before signing the first travel ban during a ceremony at the Pentagon:Trump adviser and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani speaking on Fox News, when asked how Trump selected the seven countries targeted in the first ban:Trump senior policy adviser Stephen Miller speaking on Fox News … [Read more...] about What President Trump has said about the travel ban

WASHINGTON -- President Trump's second travel ban targeting immigrants from six predominantly Muslim countries begins a new round of federal court hearings Monday battling a familiar Achilles' heel: Candidate Trump.From Richmond, Va., to Seattle, Wash., federal appeals courts with a majority of judges nominated by Democratic presidents will hear government lawyers defend the revised ban against immigrants and refugees as Trump's national security prerogative.Civil liberties and immigrants' rights groups will contend that the new executive order continues to discriminate against Muslims based on their religion, a violation of the First Amendment's establishment clause -- and they will use Trump's words from the campaign trail as Exhibit A.It was still 2015 when Trump -- before any votes had been cast in primaries and caucuses — called for "a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can … [Read more...] about Trump’s immigration travel ban faces familiar foe in appeals courts: Trump