Supreme Court sets date for Trump travel ban arguments

by Lydia Wheeler - 07/19/17 2:51 PM ET

The Supreme Court has scheduled arguments in the closely watched legal fight over President Trump’s travel ban for the second week of the court’s new term starting in October.

{mosads}Arguments will be held on Oct. 10, according to a copy of the court’s calendar released Wednesday. The court has consolidated the challenges the International Refugee Assistance Project and the state of Hawaii brought against Trump’s March 6 order for one hour of arguments.

The Supreme Court last month gave Trump a partial win when it said the government could ban entry of nationals from six countries — Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen — but carved out an exemption for individuals who have a “bona fide relationship” to a person or entity in the U.S.

A Hawaii district court judge clarified the meaning of a “bona fide relationship,” and extended the exemption to grandparents, grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins of individuals living in the U.S., as well as refugees who have assurance from a U.S.-based refugee resettlement agency for placement in the U.S.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court denied the government’s request to step in and clarify once and for all who is allowed in the U.S. The court, however, said the government could still ban refugees with agency assurances.