UPDATE: Supreme Court Upholds Travel Ban 3.0

In a decision issued today, the United States Supreme Court upheld President Donald Trump’s third travel ban, Proclamation No. 9645, issued on Sept. 27, 2107, that bans travel from six Muslim-majority nations, ruling against the plaintiffs in Hawaii vs. Trump.

UPDATE: June 26, 2018, 12:57 p.m.

Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa issued the following statement today after the Supreme Court of the United States issued a 5-4 decision in Hawaii vs. Trump that upheld President Donald Trump’s Muslim Ban.

“The Supreme Court, more than likely, will side with the president and whatever he does. The decision is unfortunate but not surprising given the makeup of the court. The big question was how they would handle the president’s rhetoric on the subject of Muslims and immigration. The majority wrote that they were not going to pay any attention to that and the dissent argued, how can you ignore it?

“I am disappointed with the message it sends to the rest of the world and to our fellow Americans. As someone born and raised in Hawai‘i, where so many of us are descended from migrant laborers who came to the islands looking for work and a better life and as the great-granddaughter of Japanese immigrants, I can tell you, with great appreciation and confidence, that this country, at its best, is a land of opportunity. Anyone willing to work hard and obey our laws can find happiness and build a life. My family stands before you as an example of what immigrant roots can grow.

“Hawai‘i, and our nation, draws its strength from the diversity of our people. We cannot allow this President to discriminate against any group or apply divisive tactics and racism to the formation of public policy. The one positive takeaway from this ruling is that the court finally overturned the 1944 Supreme Court decision in Korematsu v. United States that upheld the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII, including both of my grandfathers. Roberts wrote, ‘Korematsu was gravely wrong the day it was decided, has been overruled in the court of history, and—to be clear—’has no place in law under the Constitution.’ We must never forget what can happen when hate and racism inspire government action.”

12:21 p.m.

ACLU Hawai‘i Executive Director Joshua Wisch:

“Today’s 5-4 Supreme Court decision hurts for all the people directly impacted by this discriminatory ban in Hawai‘i and across the country. It hurts for everyone who cherishes our constitution and the ideals it represents. And while the court reached the wrong decision today—one which will haunt it for generations—we take comfort in knowing that the American people rose up to defend the most vulnerable among us in their most fraught hours. When Japanese-Americans were sent to internment camps during World War II not only did the courts fail, but the people were silent. Not so this time. Starting in Hawai‘i, Americans nationwide made their voices heard in the streets and in the courts. And here in Hawai‘i, individuals, organizations, and the state government itself stood shoulder-to-shoulder with our local Muslim community. And to our Muslim friends and neighbors who showed so much courage in speaking out: we thank you for leading the way, and we are proud to stand with you still. Today does not weaken our resolve. It strengthens it—as it must—because there is still so much work to do.”

10:13 a.m.

Gov. David Ige released a statement on today’s ruling by the United States Supreme Court on the travel ban:

“Many of Hawaiʻi’s families vividly remember experiencing unjust discrimination on the basis of race and national origin. Our state will continue to be a check on this president’s irrational fear of travelers from predominantly Muslim countries. Sadly, the Supreme Court’s decision does not reflect the American values of inclusion, freedom and opportunity. And it does not reflect the ‘Aloha Spirit’ that Hawaiʻi exemplifies.”

9:50 a.m.

Attorney General Russell Suzuki issued the following statement in response:

“We are profoundly disappointed with today’s ruling from the Supreme Court, as we continue to believe the President’s travel ban is unconstitutional. We must remain vigilant and continue to challenge the President’s unprecedented, unjust actions, and protect Hawaii residents from his discriminatory policies.”

This case was originally filed in the federal District Court for the District of Hawai‘i in February 2017, and at first concerned the litigation about the second travel ban. In October 2017, Judge Derrick K. Watson halted implementation of the third travel ban, and that ruling was upheld on appeal by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in December 2017. The Supreme Court heard oral argument on the case on April 25, 2018.

ORIGINAL POST: June 26, 2018, 6:59 a.m.

The United States Supreme Court on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, ruled 5 to 4 to uphold a third version of President Donald Trump’s travel ban in Trump vs. Hawai‘i.

Last year, Lt. Gov. Doug Chin, when he was the attorney general, led the first challenge in the nation to the president’s revised order on the grounds that it was unconstitutional and illegal under immigration law.

“I hurt today for Hawai‘i families and others who have experienced discrimination and scapegoating due to President Trump’s bullying remarks and orders,” said Lt. Gov. Chin. “I am fortified, however, by the spirit of all those who came before us and struggled for the American dream. The path to civil rights does not always come quickly, but I have faith in humanity and believe justice will eventually prevail.”

Prior to becoming lieutenant governor on Feb. 2, 2018, Chin served for three years as the attorney general for the State of Hawai‘i protecting the rights of all residents to ensure fairness, equality and justice.

Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) released a statement on the Supreme Court ruling upholding the President’s Muslim ban in Trump vs. Hawaii.

“Today is a dark day for our country,” said Sen. Hirono. “Every time our country has singled out a minority group for discriminatory treatment, we have been proven very, very wrong. The Supreme Court’s decision in Trump vs. Hawai‘i will be no different. By ignoring the president’s clear intent to discriminate against Muslims, the court handed the president unfettered power to continue to target minorities.”

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) also released a statement in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold President Donald Trump’s Muslim ban.

“What is legal is not always just,” said Sen. Schatz. “A narrow ruling on whether or not the president of the United States is in possession of the statutory authority to implement this policy avoids the basic question of whether or not it’s the right thing to do.

“The Supreme Court made the wrong decision and ignored the evidence that the Muslim ban, even the more narrowly tailored version, is a xenophobic policy that makes our country no safer than before. The American people know the truth about the Muslim ban: it is un-American and contrary to everything we stand for.”