Small But Vocal Group Lashes Out At President's Travel Ban At LAX

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com)  —  A small but vocal group of protesters lashed out at President Donald Trump's travel ban Thursday now that it has taken effect.

The protest was held outside the Tom Bradley Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport.

Reporting from the airport, CBS2's Tom Wait said there was also a battery of lawyers inside the terminal in case any passengers got stuck under the new and confusing regulations.

Travel to the US is limited from six Muslim majority countries for 90 days unless the person has a close relative living here. Some argue that "close" is relative. What of people raised by a grandparent?

"Nobody should want to live in a society where people are discriminated against. Muslims or any other religion," said one man.

"This is a discriminatory piece of legislation meant to marginalize and target an already vulnerable group of people in this country," said one woman, her face partially hidden.

The Supreme Court cleared the way for some of the restrictions to take effect while they continue to study the legality. The Trump administration has said the six countries in question are "terror prone."

But it also doesn't address the fact that the majority of terror acts committed here in the United States have been committed by people born here.

Travelers from countries on the banned list who already have approved Visas are not affected. And the ban also includes some restrictions for new applicants.

People with a "close" family member in the US such as a parent, spouse, child or sibling will still be allowed to travel. But the list does not include grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins or other extended family.

Journalists, students, employees and lecturers with valid invitations or work contracts will also have permission.

Some travelers agree with the decision to put the restrictions into effect.

"If nothing else," said one man, "it will make a psychological difference. To know we're going to do something to prevent terrorism."

The Council on American Islamic Relations has lawyers at the ready to help incoming passengers who may be blocked from leaving the airport.

"It's unfortunate that this decision was made and with the guidance that the administration put out last night making this arbitrary distinction of who is a close family member and who isn't. We are looking for cases to potentially file lawsuits," said Masih Fouoadi of CAIR.

The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the totality of the ban, perhaps this fall.