Confusion About Supreme Court's Ruling on Trump Travel Ban

Although the U.S. Supreme Court has now issued its ruling on Trump’s travel ban, the ruling has failed to clarify many questions that still remain about the implementation of the ban. According to the ruling, the president’s 90-day travel ban on visitors from selected Muslim-majority countries is enforceable, pending arguments that will take place in October, so long as those visitors lack a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States. Although the Trump administration hailed it as a victory, the reality is that very few individuals come to the U.S. from those countries absent an employment, family, or student visa, or where an otherwise bona fide connection to the U.S. exists. Refugees demonstrating this type of connection also cannot be denied entry pursuant to the ban, which defeats Trump’s intention to suspend the nation’s refugee program with respect to individuals from these countries. Still, questions remain about the wording of the Supreme Court’s decision and how that will play out in implementing the ban. First, the Court gave only a few examples of what can be considered a bona fide relationship for the purposes of the ban. The Court stated close family relationships, such as spouses and mother-in-laws, are bona fide relationships. Likewise, workers offered jobs at American companies, students enrolled at American universities, and lecturers invited to speak to U.S. audiences all have bona fide relationships to the U.S. On the other hand, those with connections created solely to avoid the travel ban are not bona fide connections. The difficulty, however, still remains in terms of defining bona fide connections. While spouses constitute a bona fide connection, what about siblings or grandparents? Do cousins or second cousins qualify as bona fide? According to some immigration experts, questions also remain, in particular, for individuals traveling on tourist visas. We are the California deportation defense lawyers whom you can turn to if you or a loved one are facing deportation proceedings, no matter what the reason may be. Regardless of the complexity or difficulty of the situation, Landerholm Immigration, A.P.C. has the experience, knowledge, and skills to advocate on behalf of you and your family throughout the course of any deportation proceedings. Contact our office today and let us answer all of your questions about any aspect of deportation proceedings.