Hawaii asks full court to hear Trump travel ban appeal

Legality of administration’s ban from six Muslim-majority countries a ‘question of exceptional importance,’ state tells court

By AP 12 April 2017, 6:29 am

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The Prince Jonah Kuhio Federal Building and US District Courthouse on March 9, 2017 in Honolulu, Hawaii where US President Donald Trump's revised travel ban on refugees and nationals from six mainly Muslim countries faces a new round of legal challenges. (AFP/Kent Nishimura)

HONOLULU — Attorneys representing Hawaii in the state’s challenge to US President Donald Trump’s revised travel ban for citizens of six Muslim-majority countries are asking that the full panel of a federal appeals court hear the case.

The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals is scheduled to hear the case May 15.

Hawaii’s request filed Tuesday notes that the full 15-judge panel of another federal appeals court will hear a similar case challenging the travel ban.

Appeals are typically heard first by a three-judge panel before they are possibly examined by the full panel.

Hawaii argues the case involves a “question of exceptional importance.”

The Trump administration is appealing a Hawaii federal judge’s ruling blocking the government from suspending new visas for people from six Muslim-majority countries and halting the US refugee program.