Law Firm Assails Court Order Against Trump’s Muslim Ban
By Rakesh Raman
The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) said Thursday’s decision by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is not only “disappointing” but also “puts our nation in grave danger.”
ACLJ, which is a constitunional law firm, had filed an amicus brief backing President Trump’s order that aimed to stop the entry of refugees and citizens from seven Muslim-majority nations into the United States.
In its decision, the appeals court panel backed an earlier decision by a federal district court judge in Washington State that put President Trump’s national security order affecting seven countries on hold.
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“This decision is disappointing and clearly puts our nation in grave danger,” said Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the ACLJ. “The fact is that President Trump clearly has the constitutional and statutory authority to issue this order. It is clear: radical Islamic terrorists are at war with America. President Trump’s order is a proper and constitutional way to protect America.”
Trump had signed an executive order two weeks ago to suspend resettlement of Syrian refugees indefinitely and all other refugee resettlement for 120 days.
The Trump order also banned the entry of nationals from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen for 90 days. All seven countries are predominately Muslim countries.
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In its amicus brief filed with the federal appeals court, the ACLJ argued that President Trump’s executive order is not only necessary, but constitutional as well.
“The directives contained in the President’s executive order are closely tethered to discretionary powers vested in the Executive Branch by the Constitution and Congress and clearly fall within the President’s well-established constitutional and statutory authority,” the brief contends.
“If the Trump Administration appeals this decision to the Supreme Court of the United States, we will file an amicus brief with the high court. Our position is clear: We contend that President Trump acted lawfully and constitutionally,” said Sekulow.
Led by chief counsel Jay Sekulow, ACLJ, focusing on constitutional law, is based in Washington, D.C.
By Rakesh Raman, who is a government award-winning journalist and runs free school for deserving children under his NGO – RMN Foundation.
Photo courtesy: White House
