SUPREME COURT REINSTATES TRAVEL BAN ON SOME REFUGEES UNTIL HIGH COURT HEARS CASE
By Miriam Raftery
September 12, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – The U.S. Supreme Court today blocked an Appeals Court order that would have allowed refugees who already have contractual agreements from resettlement agencies to enter the U.S. The ban could be temporary, put in place until the justices issue a final ruling after deliberations on the case begin in mid-October.
The Supreme Court’s action, taken at the request of the Trump administration, bars entry only to refugees from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen approved by resettlement agencies but not yet admitted to the U.S. The high court issued the latest order without comment, temporarily reinstating the travel ban on those refugees from six mostly Muslim countries.
Refugees from other countries are not affected.
The ruling also does not affect immigrants or refugees with families, jobs, school enrollment or other strong ties in the U.S., since the Trump administration dropped its objection to prior court rulings allowing these individuals entry.
The action puts the future of refugees fleeing terrorism, war and starvation once again in limbo, potentially putting lives and safety at risk while refugees wait and hope for mercy when the Supreme Court issues its final decision.