(Image source from: Tribune India)

Top Indian-American lawgivers and right bodies have delineated as "troubling" the United States Supreme Court's decision to uphold U.S. President Donald Trump's controversial travel ban targeting various Muslim-majority countries and assured to defy the "hatred".

The U.S. Supreme Court yesterday, in one of the biggest victories of Trump upheld the travel ban that restricted the entry of people from North Korea, Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Venezuela, and Somalia.

"This decision calls into question all Americans' basic rights. It sets a standard that the president of the United States can target and discriminate against anyone, without consequences," Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal said.

"We demand liberty and justice for all no caveats. Today's misguided decision strips that justice away and threatens religious liberty as we know it. We will continue to resist this ban and this hatred with everything we've got," she said on the Supreme Court's order.

She noted that Muslim Ban has already inflicted irreparable harm on Muslim families and communities. Many families persist separated from loved ones while American businesses and research institutions were denied, workers.

"Nearly 18 months ago, I rushed to SeaTac airport when Trump's Muslim Ban was abruptly imposed and created absolute chaos for lawful residents and visitors alike. It was clear then, and it's been clear through every iteration of this ban, that this is part of a larger effort to ban Muslims from the United States," Jayapal said.

South Asian Bar Association of North America (SABA) which seeks to strengthen the rapidly growing South Asian legal community said it is not deterred by the Supreme Court majority's decision.

SABA will continue to assist and support all impacted communities and take actions necessary to eliminate the targeting of religious and ethnic minorities by the Federal Government through recent executive actions, said SABA President Rishi Bagga said.

Trump announced his initial travel ban aiming at seven countries, just a week after he took office in January 2017. Though Lower American courts had deemed the prohibition unconstitutional, merely the U.S. top court turned this move in a 5-4 ruling proclaimed yesterday.

By Sowmya Sangam