Rights groups censure Supreme Court’s partial reinstatement of US President Donald Trump’s travel ban

People arrive at John F. Kennedy (JFK) international airport on June 26, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by AFP)

Rights groups are decrying the US Supreme Court’s partial reinstatement of President Donald Trump’s travel ban.

"The implication on the ground is actually not as severe, I think, as it might at first appear because the number of people who will be affected by this narrow version of the ban is much smaller,” said American Civil Liberties Union director of immigrants' rights project, Omar Jadwat, on Monday.

Earlier in the day, the top court granted the government's request to reinstate parts of Trump's controversial Muslim ban.

“I think it's a complete mischaracterization to say that this is in some way a victory for the administration. What they're being allowed to move forward with here is, is really the smallest sliver, the kind of faintest shadow of what they set out to originally accomplish," Jadwat noted.

People arrive at John F. Kennedy (JFK) international airport on June 26, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by AFP)

The Trump administration moved to take credit for the ruling, describing it as "a clear victory for our national security."

"It allows the travel suspension for the six terror-prone countries and the refugee suspension to become largely effective," claimed the Republican president in a statement. "As president, I cannot allow people into our country who want to do us harm."

The top court narrowed the scope of lower court rulings that blocked Trump’s Muslim ban from taking effect nationwide, and also agreed to hear the administration’s appeal in these cases.

According to the ruling, travelers from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen "who lack any bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States," are not allowed to enter the US.

US Attorney General Jeff Sessions defended the ruling, asserting that “Groups like ISIL (Daesh) and al-Qaeda seek to sow chaos and destruction in our country, and often operate from war-torn and failed countries.”

"It is crucial that we properly vet those seeking to come to America from these locations, and failing to do so puts us all in danger," added Sessions (pictured above).

Meanwhile, arrivals from the six countries have already dropped sharply, in part thanks to the US authorities’ "extreme vetting" approach.

According to the New York Immigration Coalition, "agencies and individuals will struggle to make sense of" what the ruling means by “bona fide relationship.”

Trump’s original measure, issued by executive order in January, was almost immediately blocked by the courts, making the administration announce a revised version in March.

The nine justices are set to examine the case in full in October.

The US State Department said it would implement the ruling in a “professional” manner.

"We will keep those traveling to the United States and partners in the travel industry informed as we implement the order in a professional, organized, and timely way," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert (pictured above) said in a statement.

"We are also in contact with our partners in the implementation of the United States Refugee Admissions Program, and will keep them apprised of changes as they take effect," she added.