WASHINGTON, Oct 17 (KUNA) -- The White House said Tuesday the federal court decision to block its third attempt at enforcing a travel ban for foreign nations was "dangerously flawed" and undercut national security.
In a White House statement, the Trump administration said the latest court decision to block its controversial proclamation regarding travel to the United States by Nationals of Certain Countries; widely known as the travel ban, "undercuts the President's efforts to keep the American people safe and enforce minimum security standards for entry into the United States." It also indicated the battle to pass the ban was far from over.
"The Department of Justice will vigorously defend the President's lawful action," the White House said.
The travel ban that was set to go into effect October 18 banned certain travelers from Syria, Libya, Iran, Yemen, Chad, Somalia, North Korea and Venezuela. However, Hawaii's Federal Judge Derrick Watson said the travel ban "plainly discriminates based on nationality." The White House said its ban was issued based on a "worldwide security review by the Secretary of Homeland Security and following consultation by the President with members of the Cabinet, including the Secretaries of Homeland Security, State, and Defense and the Attorney General." Countries listed on the travel ban were selected "based on their inability or unwillingness to share critical information necessary to safely vet applications, as well as a threat assessment related to terrorism, instability, and other grave national security concerns," according to the White House.
It added "These restrictions are vital to ensuring that foreign nations comply with the minimum security standards required for the integrity of our immigration system and the security of our Nation." The previous two travel orders have been blocked over regards questioning if the president has the authority to create such a decision without congressional approval.
The second blocked travel ban was scheduled to go to the Supreme Court, but an essential portion of that ban expired and Trump issued his latest ban before the hearing. It is likely this third iteration may be sent to the Supreme Court.
Should the issue had been sent to the Supreme Court, the White House expressed confidence they would win, "We are confident that the Judiciary will ultimately uphold the President's lawful and necessary action and swiftly restore its vital protections for the safety of the American people". (end) hy.hb