The National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC) strongly opposes the reinstatement of the Travel Ban, as introduced through the June 4 Presidential Proclamation.
Set to take effect on Monday, June 9, 2025, this alarming policy reintroduces the discriminatory framework of the original ‘Muslim Travel Ban’ – Executive Order 13769, “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States,” issued in 2017 by President Donald Trump and repealed in 2021 after widespread legal and public backlash.
While framed as a national security measure, the reality is far more troubling. The policy restricts travel from 19 countries, many of which are Arab, Muslim-majority, or home to Black and Brown communities. By targeting entire nations rather than evaluating individuals based on credible evidence, the ban unjustly punishes millions of people simply because of where they were born and carries far-reaching consequences that ultimately undermine the prosperity and well-being of all Americans.
NNAAC calls for the immediate reversal of this proclamation and urges communities, lawmakers, and the courts to act swiftly to reject this harmful and unnecessary policy.
Full travel bans apply to:
- Afghanistan
- Burma (Myanmar)
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
Partial restrictions apply to:
- Burundi
- Cuba
- Laos
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
- Turkmenistan
- Venezuela
The policy also singles out Egypt for further scrutiny and includes a review mechanism every 90 to 180 days, allowing for countries to be added or removed at any time. This creates ongoing uncertainty for immigrant communities and their families.
There is no evidence that blanket travel bans improve national security. A 2020 Cato Institute study found that no individuals from the originally banned countries were responsible for a single deadly terrorist attack on U.S. soil between 1975 and 2017. The previous ‘Muslim Travel Ban’ caused chaos at airports, traumatized families, stoked Islamophobia, and damaged America’s reputation globally.
Its impact still reverberates today. Arab and MENA communities across the U.S. continue to face the psychological and material consequences of that policy. Read more from the Center for Arab Narratives.
If implemented, this renewed ban would do the same. It would separate families, halt educational and employment opportunities, and punish innocent people simply because of where they are from. It will also directly impact millions of American citizens with ties to these countries, many of whom will be blocked from reuniting with loved ones, sponsoring relatives, or traveling freely.
But the consequences go beyond personal hardship. This ban, along with mounting attacks on international students, ideological screenings in visa processes, and exclusionary immigration policies, sends a chilling message that the United States is closing its doors to global talent, collaboration, and exchange. The ripple effects will be felt across society, from universities and research labs to hospitals, tech firms, and local economies. They will undermine innovation, workforce development, and even the future of healthcare and scientific advancement.
This hurts every American, regardless of their background.
Exemptions (Per the Proclamation):
- Lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders)
- Individuals with visas issued before June 9, 2025
- Dual nationals traveling on a passport from a non-banned country
- Immediate family immigrant visa applicants (IR-1/CR-1, IR-2/CR-2, IR-5)
- Adoptees
- Afghan Special Immigrant Visa holders
- Religious and ethnic minorities in Iran
- Refugees already admitted to the U.S.
- Individuals granted asylum or protection under the Convention Against Torture
- Individuals applying for asylum (asylum remains available under this policy)
Despite these exemptions, the scope of the ban is sweeping, and its implementation remains unclear. Based on past experiences, we anticipate legal challenges, confusion at ports of entry, and uneven enforcement across agencies. Policies like this betray the values we strive to uphold – liberty, due process, and human dignity.