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A three-judge 9th
U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel, made up entirely of judges
appointed by Democratic former President Bill Clinton, will
review a Hawaii judge's ruling that blocked parts of the
Republican president's revised executive order on travel.
The March order was Trump's second effort to craft travel
restrictions. The first, issued on Jan. 27, led to chaos and
protests at airports before being blocked by courts. The second
order was intended to overcome the legal problems posed by the
original ban, but was also suspended by judges before it could
go into effect on March 16.
U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson in Hawaii blocked 90-day
entry restrictions on people from Libya, Iran, Somalia, Sudan,
Syria and Yemen, as well as part of the order that suspended
entry of refugee applicants for 120 days.
Last week the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Virginia
reviewed a Maryland judge's ruling that blocked the 90-day entry
restrictions. That court is largely made up of Democrats, and
the judges' questioning appeared to break along partisan lines.
A ruling has not yet been released.
Arguing that the United States needed to tighten national
security measures, Trump's attempt to limit travel was one of
his first major acts in office. The fate of the ban is one
indication of whether the Republican can carry out his promises
to be tough on immigration and national security.
Opponents - including the state of Hawaii and civil rights
groups - say that both the first ban and the revised ban
discriminate against Muslims. The government argues the text of
the order does not mention any specific religion and is needed
to protect the country against attacks.
The 9th Circuit hearing on Monday will take place in Seattle.
The U.S. Supreme Court is likely to be the ultimate decider, but
the high court is not expected to take up the issue for several
months.
(Writing by Dan Levine; Editing by Mary Milliken)
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