The Supreme Court has upheld Donald Trump’s controversial Muslim travel ban.
The case reached the Supreme Court after Hawaii filed a lawsuit against the third version of Trump’s ban, according to the New York Daily News. Opponents of the ban hoped the Supreme Court would uphold rulings from lower courts, who deemed the ban unconstitutional.
The current version of the ban rejects immigrants and refugees from Muslim-majority countries Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen. It also targets people traveling from North Korea and Venezuela.
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the ban does not "exceed any textual limit on the President's authority,” in the majority opinion he co-wrote with the four other conservative justices. Roberts also rejected the argument that the ban was discriminatory against Muslims.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor argued the opposite in her dissent. “A reasonable observer would conclude that the Proclamation was motivated by anti-Muslim animus,” she wrote. Sotomayor also accused the conservative judges on the bench of disregarding the needs of citizens who would be affected by the ban. She said their decision came from “ignoring the facts, misconstruing our legal precedent and turning a blind eye to the pain and suffering the Proclamation inflicts upon countless families and individuals, many of whom are United States citizens.”
Justices Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Elena Kagan joined Sotomayor in dissent.
They are not the only ones outraged by the decision.
The backlash has been swift and prompted the hashtag #NoMuslimBanEver.
Once again, #SCOTUS has codified hate into law. Trump’s anti-Muslim agenda has always extended far beyond the #MuslimBan.
I am outraged, and we must stay outraged. We have the strength to move our presence to power if we stay focused, stay engaged. #NoMuslimBanEver
https://t.co/I5oZatskpk— Rashad Robinson (@rashadrobinson) June 26, 2018
Disgusted to hear that the Supreme Court is upholding the xenophobic Muslim ban. This ban is immoral and an affront to our collective humanity. This is a terribly sad day in US history, but the story won’t end here. We’ll continue to fight for justice & dignity. #NoMuslimBanEver
— OPAL TOMETI (@opalayo) June 26, 2018
The Supreme Court upheld the racist, xenophobic, and dangerous travel ban concocted by @RealDonaldTrump, 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 for #NoMuslimBanEver.
— Eric Adams (@BPEricAdams) June 26, 2018
Bigotry and racism aren’t just twisted ideology, slurs and physical violence. So much of it is enshrined in policy. Today’s SCOTUS ruling should be the biggest reminder of that.
— Aaron L. Morrison (@aaronlmorrison) June 26, 2018
We don't have time to be devastated by the #SCOTUS or #Trump… it is time to organize like never before and take direct action. #WokeAF
— DanielleMoodie-Mills (@DeeTwoCents) June 26, 2018
Muslim ban
Separating migrant parents and children, even babies
Planned internment camps
Puerto Rico & USVI left to suffer
Realigning America with dictators and spurning our allies
Black athletes forced into patriotic displays
Trade warsTrump has been president 17 months.— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) June 26, 2018
Sitting in my daughter’s high school graduation in tears. I have to tell my daughter who has been asking me for updates that #SCOTUS upheld the Muslim and Refugee Ban. That they decided on the side of xenophobia and racism. Devastated. #StandWithMuslims #NoMuslimBanEver— Linda Sarsour (@lsarsour) June 26, 2018
Once again, this country is on the wrong side of history.