Liberals, activists decry Supreme Court’s travel ban ruling

<p>A number of Brooklyn's elected officials said they were disappointed Tuesday after the Supreme Court's 5-4 decision along party lines to uphold President Donald Trump's travel ban.</p>

News 12 Staff

Jun 26, 2018, 9:44 PM

Updated 2,132 days ago

Share:

A number of Brooklyn's elected officials said they were disappointed Tuesday after the Supreme Court's 5-4 decision along party lines to uphold President Donald Trump's travel ban.
Most travelers from seven countries will no longer be able to enter the United States. Five of them have predominantly Muslim populations: Libya, Syria, Iran, Yemen and Somalia. The other two are North Korea and Venezuela.
Humans rights groups are also criticizing the decision, as is the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Residents held a protest in Foley Square Tuesday night in protest of the decision.
"What we believe is that given the president's statements -- given his statements on television, his tweets, his public advocacy -- that this was a Muslim ban," said Albert Fox Cahn, the legal director of CAIR-NY.
But Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority decision, said the ban falls within the scope of presidential authority -- and that it does not discriminate against Muslims.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, a Brooklyn native, wrote the dissenting opinion along with Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who is from the Bronx. They argued that the travel ban violates the First Amendment by failing to uphold religious liberty -- and that a reasonable observer would conclude that the ban would be considered anti-Muslim.
Jerry Kassar, the chairman of the Kings County Conservative Party, told News 12 over the phone that the ruling was in line with the power past presidents wielded over immigration issues.
"Since the nation was formed, the president has logically had the power to influence immigration issues and international security issues," he said. "The Supreme Court simply upheld a longstanding tradition."
He also said that such authority should always rest in the hands of a sitting president, regardless of who it is.


More from News 12
1:46
Hero doctor earns Heart Saver Award for saving soccer referee

Hero doctor earns Heart Saver Award for saving soccer referee

1:46
Scattered rain overnight on Long Island; sunny skies Sunday afternoon

Scattered rain overnight on Long Island; sunny skies Sunday afternoon

1:37
Manorville search related to Gilgo Beach case continues for fifth day

Manorville search related to Gilgo Beach case continues for fifth day

1:54
Arbor Day Festival at Planting Fields Arboretum marks 38th year

Arbor Day Festival at Planting Fields Arboretum marks 38th year

0:33
Delta plane lands at JFK due to emergency slide falling off

Delta plane lands at JFK due to emergency slide falling off

2:02
'Gains For Brains' girls lacrosse tournament raises awareness, funds for pediatric brain cancer research

'Gains For Brains' girls lacrosse tournament raises awareness, funds for pediatric brain cancer research

Mathew Barzal scores in 2nd OT as Islanders beat Hurricanes 3-2 to avoid series sweep

Mathew Barzal scores in 2nd OT as Islanders beat Hurricanes 3-2 to avoid series sweep

2:28
Doctors are seeing an increase in pickleball-related injuries. Here how to avoid them

Doctors are seeing an increase in pickleball-related injuries. Here how to avoid them

1:56
DEC: Delay in test results on soil, drums found at Bethpage park caused by technical issues at Grumman lab

DEC: Delay in test results on soil, drums found at Bethpage park caused by technical issues at Grumman lab

0:26
Officials: Bag of cocaine found during search of Melville restaurant

Officials: Bag of cocaine found during search of Melville restaurant

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

1:50
Selden man accused of abandoning dogs in state park

Selden man accused of abandoning dogs in state park

1:33
Disabled Army vet in Kings Park get new backyard with help from volunteers

Disabled Army vet in Kings Park get new backyard with help from volunteers

1:20
Police return to Manorville to continue search in connection to Gilgo Beach case

Police return to Manorville to continue search in connection to Gilgo Beach case

1:56
EXCLUSIVE: Police, K-9 search in North Sea at location of cold case murder

EXCLUSIVE: Police, K-9 search in North Sea at location of cold case murder

0:22
Suffolk County given $5M from federal gov't for construction of new bridge to Fire Island

Suffolk County given $5M from federal gov't for construction of new bridge to Fire Island

0:29
Halal food truck coming to Nassau Community College amid dining issues

Halal food truck coming to Nassau Community College amid dining issues

0:18
Police: East Northport man killed in motorcycle cash in East Farmingdale

Police: East Northport man killed in motorcycle cash in East Farmingdale

1:00
The East End: McCall Wines in Cutchogue

The East End: McCall Wines in Cutchogue

1:45
Long Island's largest car show returns to Tobay Beach this weekend

Long Island's largest car show returns to Tobay Beach this weekend