YES YES YES YES YES YES YES HOLY FREAKING CRAP YES
They were absolutely targeted for other reasons than being snakes. Do you understand what an invasive species is? What they do? Are Asian carp being targeted because they are fish? Are zebra muscles being targeted for being muscles? NO. Invasive species are targeted because they are a threat to local ecosystems. This doesn't apply in places they can't survive, but they ABSOLUTELY were targeted for reasons other than being snakes.
Do I agree with the ban? No I don't, I don't think that a few crappy keepers should be able to ruin it for everyone.