Court Upholds Ban on Travel to Cuba

SAN FRANCISCO —  The long-standing ban on most travel to Cuba was upheld Monday by a federal appeals court, which said it was within the government’s authority and did not violate Americans’ civil rights.

“The purpose of the travel ban is the same now as it has been since the ban was imposed almost 35 years ago--to restrict the flow of hard currency into Cuba,” said the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

That goal has been found “important,” “substantial” and “vital” by other courts, the appellate panel said in a 3-0 ruling. Rejecting a lawsuit that charged that the ban had outlived any previous rationales when the Cold War ended, the court said it would not “second-guess the president.”

The suit was filed by the Freedom to Travel Campaign, which says it has sponsored seven educational and cultural trips to Cuba without applying for a Treasury Department travel license.