President Donald Trump's on-and-off travel ban affecting travelers from six Muslim-majority countries is back on after a federal appeals court in San Francisco partially reinstated the order Monday, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Trump administration can begin blocking nationals of Syria, Libya, Iran, Yemen, Somalia and Chad who lack a "bona fide" relationship in the U.S.
The court considers those connections "grandparents, grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins" who live in the U.S. or "formal, documented" relationships with U.S.-based entities such as universities and resettlement agencies, according to Reuters.
Trump revealed his newest travel ban in September. However, it was blocked by judges in Hawaii and Maryland before it was set to go into effect last month.
The administration's bans on North Korean nationals and select Venezuelan government officials and their families were left in place.
It's important to note that Monday's judgment is temporary. A panel of three judges-Michael Daly Hawkins, Ronald M. Gould and Richard A. Paez-is set to hear oral arguments December 6, the Times reports.
"We are reviewing the court's order and the government will begin enforcing the travel proclamation consistent with the partial stay. We believe that the [travel ban] proclamation should be allowed to take effect in its entirety," said Department of Justice spokeswoman, Lauren Ehrsam.
Critics of Trump's ban have argued that it violates immigration law and blatantly discriminates against Muslims while the administration and its supporters believe its a necessary safeguard against terrorism.
Trump's initial ban was met by chaotic scenes at airports across the country in January. A second temporary travel ban, which was upheld by the Supreme Court in June, expired during September.
The Trump administration has vowed to take the controversial ban all the way to the Supreme Court and, given the tumultuous road its taken to get to this point, there don't appear to be any other logical finish lines.
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