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
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.
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