Trump news: Trump travel ban UPHELD by Supreme Court - which countries are affected?

The US Supreme Court today handed Donald Trump one of the biggest victories of his presidency.

The court shockingly ruled the Trump travel ban targeting several Muslim-majority countries would be upheld.

The court also rejected the idea the travel ban represented unconstitutional religious discrimination.

In the 5-4 ruling, the court accepted the government’s argument that it was within the presidential power to “suspend entry of aliens into the United States”.

Which countries are affected by the Trump travel ban?

The travel ban targets mainly Muslim-majority countries, prompting mass criticism from opponents of the policy.

The ban targets travellers from Syria, Iran, Libya, Yemen and Somalia, as well as limited sanctions against North Korea and Venezuela.

The Supreme Court allowed the ban, which was announced last September, to go largely into effect in December while the legal challenge continued.

The ruling affirmed broad presidential discretion over who is allowed to enter the United States. 

The decision also means the current ban can remain in effect and that Trump could potentially add even more countries to his 'banned' list.

Mr Trump has said the policy is needed to protect the country against attacks by Islamic militants.

As he upheld the ban, chief justice John Robert’s ruled that the government "has set forth a sufficient national security justification."

He added: "We express no view on the soundness of the policy."

Mr Roberts included a speech on the importance of protection against religious discrimination.

He said: “The President of the United States possesses an extraordinary power to speak to his fellow citizens and on their behalf.

“Our Presidents have frequently used that power to espouse the principles of religious freedom and tolerance on which this Nation was founded.

Mr Trump soon reacted on Twitter: "SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS TRUMP TRAVEL BAN. Wow!"

Amnesty Internation has blasted the ruling, saying the policy "has no place" in the world today. 

The human rights organisation said in a statement: “This hateful policy is a catastrophe all around — not only for those who simply want to travel, work, or study here in the States, but for those seeking safety from violence as well.

"While this decision doesn’t address the separate and equally harmful ban on refugees, it cruelly traps people in conflict-afflicted countries and prevents them from seeking safety in the U.S. or being reunited with family."

Amnesty International has been of critical of Mr Trump's travel ban policy since it was first implemented. 

The controversial ban was elevated to America’s highest court after numerous versions of the policy were rejected by the lower courts.

Mr Trump has issued three executive orders banning travel, with the current order coming into effect in December 2017.

The president issued his first ban just a week after taking office, prompting widespread protests and chaos in airports.