The Trump administration on Friday urged the Supreme Court to reinstate its controversial travel ban on citizens from six Muslim-majority countries, elevating a divisive legal battle involving national security and religious discrimination.

In its filings, the administration asked the nine justices to consider the legality of President Donald Trump’s executive order of March 6, a move that appeals a ruling by the 4th Circuit that upheld a nationwide halt to the ban. The executive order was halted by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals said in a 10-3 ruling.

The ruling was one in a series of legal defeats for the administration, as judges across the country have said Trump’s claim of protecting the nation was cover for making good on a campaign promise to ban Muslims from entry into the US.

Suspended by US courts, Trump in his executive order had banned visa issuance to citizens of six majority-Muslim countries: Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. “We asked the SC to hear this case and are confident that the executive order is well within Trump’s authority,” Justice Department spok-eswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said.