Ban On Travelers From 6 Muslim Countries Takes Effect
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A temporary ban on travelers from six mostly Muslim countries went into effect Thursday – with exceptions.
Attorneys camped out at Los Angeles International Airport Thursday to assist any travelers in case U.S. immigration authorities exceed the restrictions that the U.S. Supreme Court attached to President Donald Trump's travel ban.
The ban temporarily barring entry to travelers from Libya, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen will not apply to foreigners who have a "bona fide relationship" with a person or entity in the United States, including a close relative, a university or an employer.
Under the ban, travelers from the six countries will be denied visas for 90 days and the refugee-entry program will be placed on hold for 120 days. The court plans to hear arguments pertaining to aspects of the case – religious, discrimination and the president's powers to protect the nation – when it reconvenes in October.
"Attorneys will be assessing any impact on travelers who are seeking entry into the United States through Customs and Border Protection at LAX," the Council on American-Islamic Relations said in a statement about the lawyers who will be at LAX today. "They will be joined by organizers and activists who will be providing support for families who may be waiting for their loved ones ..."
The attorneys at LAX are from CAIR's L.A. chapter, the American Civil Liberties Union and other organizations.
L.A. City Attorney Mike Feuer's office says he also planned to be at Bradley International Terminal.
Trump has repeatedly defended the travel ban, saying immigrants from the targeted countries need to be more thoroughly vetted to ensure they are not planning to carry out acts of violence.
(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)
