the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Seattle, heard courtroom argument on a plea from the Trump administration to let the government use a list it compiled in late June for deciding who can apply for a visa from six Muslim-majority countries while the travel restrictions are in place.

In late June, the United States Supreme Court ruled that while portions of the travel ban could be enforced, people overseas "who have a credible claim of a bona fide relationship" with a relative or an organization in the U.S. would be exempt. In response, the State Department said that meant only parents, parents-in-law, spouses, fiances, children, and children-in-law could get visas during the 90 days while the ban is in place.

The Supreme Court ruling said individuals must have aclose family relationship with someone in the U.S. to get a visa. But the government's claim that the term does not cover grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and siblings-in-law was greeted Monday with skepticism.

"How can the government take the position that a grandmother or grandfather, or aunt or uncle, of a child in the U.S. does not have a close familial relationship? What universe does that come from?" asked Judge Michael Hawkins.

"What's significantly different between a grandparent and a mother-in-law?" asked Judge Paez.

Deputy Assistant Attorney General Hashim Mooppan said the government's list was based on provisions of federal immigration law. "It can't mean all family members except the most distant," he argued.

But Colleen Roh Sinzdak, appearing on behalf of Hawaii, which is challenging the executive order, said