Appeals court rejection leaves trump travel ban on hold

Here's a summary of the situation:

Appeals Court Rejects Trump's Request to Reconsider Travel Ban

On June 12, 2017, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected President Donald Trump's request to reconsider its earlier decision to block his travel ban targeting six predominantly Muslim countries. The ban, which was signed on January 27, 2017, aimed to suspend the entry of nationals from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen into the United States for 90 days.

Background

The travel ban was met with widespread criticism and legal challenges, with many arguing that it was discriminatory and unconstitutional. On February 3, 2017, a federal judge in Seattle issued a temporary restraining order blocking the ban, citing the president's "anti-Muslim bias" and the lack of evidence that the ban would improve national security.

Appeals Court Decision

On May 25, 2017, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the lower court's decision, ruling that the travel ban was likely unconstitutional and that the government had failed to demonstrate a compelling national security interest. The court also found that the ban was not a "neutral" policy, but rather a "Muslim ban" that targeted a specific religious group.

Trump's Request for Reconsideration

In response to the appeals court decision, Trump's administration filed a petition for rehearing en banc, asking the full 4th Circuit Court to reconsider the decision. However, on June 12, 2017, the court denied the request, leaving the travel ban on hold.

Implications

The rejection of Trump's request means that the travel ban remains blocked, and nationals from the six affected countries can continue to enter the United States. The decision also sets a significant precedent for the administration's ability to implement discriminatory policies under the guise of national security.

Next Steps

The Trump administration is likely to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court, which could potentially hear the case in the coming months. In the meantime, the travel ban remains on hold, and the administration is working to develop a new travel policy that is less likely to be challenged in court.