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US judge blocks Trump’s new travel ban
Washington, Oct 18 (IANS) A US judge blocked the latest version of the Trump administration’s travel ban just hours before it was set to take effect from Wednesday, saying that it “suffers from precisely the same maladies as its predecessor”.
Derrick Watson, a US district judge, on Tuesday granted Hawaii’s request to temporarily block the federal government from enforcing the policy. He said the new ban “violated immigration law”.
The newest travel rules, which Trump signed on September 24, indefinitely ban entry to the US by nationals of Syria, Libya, Iran, Yemen, Somalia, Chad and North Korea. They also restrict travel by certain Venezuelan government officials and their families.
The ban, in its third iteration, was one of Trump’s earliest and most controversial decisions after taking office in January. It had also been one of the most legally troubled, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Both previous versions were ordered halted by federal district judges who said they violated the Constitution or exceeded the President’s authority and those orders were upheld on appeal.
The third travel ban, Judge Watson wrote on Tuesday: “Suffers from precisely the same maladies as its predecessor.”
Among those flaws, he wrote, was that the ban “plainly discriminates based on nationality” in a way that undercuts “the founding principles of this nation,” and that the government had not shown that the US’ national interests would be harmed by admitting travellers from the affected countries.
The Trump administration swiftly denounced the judge’s order, saying that the latest travel restrictions were issued after an “extensive worldwide security review”.
The White House called the ruling “dangerously flawed” while vowing to appeal it, stating the court order “undercuts the President’s efforts to keep the American people safe and enforce minimum security standards for entry into the US”.
“The Department of Justice will vigorously defend the President’s lawful action,” White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement.
Judge Watson had previously blocked Trump’s last travel ban in March. The policy “lacks sufficient findings that the entry of more than 150 million nationals from six specified countries would be ‘detrimental to the interests of the US,'” Judge Watson wrote.
The issue could head to the Supreme Court, where justices cancelled a hearing previously scheduled for October 10 concerning an earlier version of the travel ban.
Refugees and civil rights groups hailed the latest court ruling as a victory for people across the world fleeing persecution and violence in war-torn countries.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.