Appeals Court Panel Appears Skeptical of Trumps Travel Ban.
'A three-judge federal appeals panel voiced skepticism on Tuesday at the Justice Departments broad defense of President Trumps targeted travel ban during arguments over how much power the president has to impose immigration restrictions based on national security concerns.
It was a lively but technical hearing on an issue that has gripped much of the countrys attention and that of foreign allies and Middle East nations for the past week. Issued without warning on Jan. 27, just a week after Mr. Trump took office, the executive order disrupted travel and drew protests at the nations airports by suspending entry for people from seven predominantly Muslim countries and limiting the nations refugee program.
No matter how the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit rules in an order that is expected within days an appeal to the United States Supreme Court is likely. That court remains short-handed and could deadlock. A 4-to-4 tie in the Supreme Court would leave the appeals courts ruling in place.
Several courts around the nation have blocked aspects of Mr. Trumps order, but the broadest ruling was the one at issue on Tuesday in the Ninth Circuit.'>>>
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/07/us/politics/trump-immigration-ban-hearing-appeal.html?