In a shocking move by the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) earlier today, the court justices decided to uphold President Donald Trump’s travel ban of the predominately Muslim countries including Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen.
The 5-4 decision uphold Trump’s Muslim travel ban reverses lower court decisions that considered the ban to be unconstitutional or illegal.
“The President concluded that it was necessary to impose entry restrictions on nationals of countries that do not share adequate information for an informed entry determination, or that otherwise present national security risks,” wrote Chief Justice John Roberts in the court’s opinion, according to the York Daily Record.
The move was met by many local lawmakers denouncing the country’s highest court and promising to continue their fight for immigrant communities.
“The Supreme Court upheld the racist, xenophobic, and dangerous travel ban concocted by President Trump, but the struggle for justice is far from over. Families in Brooklyn and across America are counting on us to keep fighting. We must continue to fight against any Muslim travel ban, ever,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams.
“The United States is a nation of immigrants, of refugees, and of the voiceless and powerless who come to our shores seeking asylum. That diversity and that willingness to help others has been and should continue to be our greatest strength. Today is a shameful day for our country. As a Jewish-American and as a New Yorker, I proudly stand with our Muslim community and vow to continue fighting for the inclusive America that I believe in,” said City Councilman Mark Treyger (D-Coney Island, Bensonhurst, Gravesend).
“The Supreme Court’s ruling today enables institutionalized bigotry, codified racism. The Muslim Ban, or so-called travel ban, is unconscionable, a denial of rights and of humanity on the basis of a person’s faith. The policy is as vicious, illogical, racist, and inexcusable today as when it was first enacted and protestors flooded airports across the country,” said City Councilman Jumaane Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood).
The controversial decision comes just a week since Trump made a major decision against Mexican and Central American immigrants, deciding to end family separation at the U.S.-Mexico border last week.
