Summary: Donald Trump’s travel ban will start on Thursday evening.
President Donald Trump spent Thursday morning blasting the hosts of Morning Joe, but the 45th president has at least one reason to be pleased. After months of fighting in courts, his travel ban is finally scheduled to take effect 8 p.m. ET Thursday.
Earlier this year, Trump signed an executive order barring travelers from a select few Muslim-majority countries. The ban was broadly written and caused chaos and protests at airports as law enforcement prohibited people with visas from entering the country. Lawyers immediately filed lawsuits to stop the order, and several judges in states such as Hawaii struck it down on the basis that it discriminated against one religion.
Trump released a revised travel ban on March 16 that stated people from Sudan, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen who do not have valid visas will not be allowed into the United States for 90 days. Additionally, the order explicitly stated that legal permanent residents and current visa holders will not be affected by the travel ban.
On Monday, the Supreme Court voted 9-0 to allow parts of the travel ban to take effect. Any traveler who cannot prove a “bona fide relationship” with an American person or entity is forbidden from entering the country. Relationships include a father living in the United States or being a student at a university.
According to CNN, only close relatives will be allowed entry under the travel ban. This includes a mother or brother but not a grandfather or aunt. When it comes to having a relationship with an entity, booking a hotel room for leisure does not constitute a “bona fide relationship” under the executive order.
These relationship guidelines also apply to refugees who are banned from entry for 120 days. So far, the guidelines have not been published by the State Department or Department of Homeland Security, according to CNN.
In the March 16 travel ban, US citizens, green card holders, visa holders, and dual citizens are excluded. Additionally, anyone granted asylum and refugees already admitted to the US are also exempt.
After the Supreme Court ruled in Trump’s favor on Monday, he said that the ban was necessary to protect the country.
“As President, I cannot allow people into our country who want to do us harm,” Trump said. “I want people who can love the United States and all of its citizens, and who will be hardworking and productive.”
So far today, Trump has not tweeted an additional statement about the travel ban, but he has tweeted about a media program he dislikes as well as two laws that fit into his immigration policy.
In the morning, Trump tweeted that Morning Joe host Joe Scarborough was a “crazy psycho” and his co-host Mika Brzezinski had a “face lift” and “low IQ.” He has also been tweeting his support for Kate’s Law and No Sanctuary for Criminals Act, two laws that will tighten punishments for illegal immigrants who commit crimes.
- Supreme Court Allows Portions of Trump’s Travel Ban to Be Enforced
- New York City’s Online Directory of Immigration Law Firms