Travel Ban Upheld; USTA Says Welcoming Message Critical

The Supreme Court has upheld the latest version of President Donald Trump’s travel ban, and the U.S. Travel Association has responded that the administration must now make it clear that legitimate travelers are welcome in the United States.

“Now that the U.S. court system has set guidelines for the president's executive orders on immigration, we are hopeful that a coherent and durable set of policies can be put into place by the administration,” said U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President for Public Affairs Jonathan Grella in a statement provided to Travel Agent. "Today's decision should enable the White House to move on to a new messaging phase: making it clear that keeping bad actors out remains a priority, but making it equally clear that legitimate business and leisure travelers are as welcome and desired as ever in the United States.

"The economic stakes around strong and healthy international travel are too high—and speak too squarely to the president's priorities of growing exports, jobs, and the GDP—for the welcome message not to become a featured part of the administration's calculus," Grella said.

CNN reports that the Supreme Court upheld the travel ban in a 5-4 vote along partisan lines, with Chief Justice John Roberts writing for the majority. Roberts found that the ban was within the scope of presidential authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

The Supreme Court has allowed full enforcement of the current version of the travel ban since December, when it issued an order allowing the policy to go through ahead of its hearing the case. This latest version of the travel ban is the third iteration of the policy, which was issued in late September. It applies to North Korea, Venezuela, Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen and Somalia, dropping Sudan, which had been included in earlier versions of the order. Chad was also removed from the travel ban in April after officials in the Trump administration said it had “improved its identity-management and information sharing practices.”

Related Stories

New Supreme Court Decision Adds Urgency to Tax Fight

Travel Agents Who've Sailed Say Norwegian Bliss Raises the Bar

Air Travel: New Economy Class Service, New Flights and More

Another Big Caribbean Reopening: Belmond La Samanna