US court quashes Trump attempt to reinstate travel ban

Donald Trump's attempts to reinstate his travel ban on citizens from seven predominantly Muslim countries have proven unsuccessful, after a federal court rejected an appeal from his administration to overturn a ruling from a Seattle court which suspended the ban.

The US President signed the executive order two weeks ago, citing national security concerns of incoming immigrants from Iraq, Iran, Libya, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, and Syria.

The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that it would not overturn the Seattle court's decision, on a unanimous 3-0 vote.

The judges said that while Trump has discretion to set immigration policy, that it was still subject to assessment in accordance with the US constitution.

"On the one hand, the public has a powerful interest in national security and in the ability of an elected president to enact policies," the judges said.

"And on the other, the public also has an interest in free flow of travel, in avoiding separation of families, and in freedom from discrimination."

Trump's reaction was swift and animated, with a tweet suggesting that his administration is going to take the matter to a higher court.

"SEE YOU IN COURT, THE SECURITY OF OUR NATION IS AT STAKE!" President Trump tweeted. In an audio statement, Trump granted the decision as "political".

Citizens from the seven countries will now be able to travel to the US as they had done before the president signed the executive order.