Does the controversial ‘Muslim Ban’ restricting travel to the United States violate the Constitution or immigration laws? This question was in the focus of an important Supreme Court case in the US: President Trump vs Hawaii. The controversial ban prohibits most individuals from Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Somalia and other countries entering the US.
During the court deliberations, an article by Karlijn Haagsman, Valentina Mazzucato and Bilisuma Dito (GTD) was cited in an amici curiae brief by labour organizations. The case used the article to argue that the possible separation of families because of the ban causes harm and has negative physical and mental health consequences. Limited physical interaction resulting from geographic separation can challenge intimate parent-child relations. It can also frustrate efforts to maintain these bonds, and resulting feelings of loss of intimacy can cause emotional distress for both parents and children. Eventually however, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the ban by a narrow 5-4 majority.