On June 9, 2025, President Trump’s new travel bans officially went into effect. It blocks people from 19 countries, most with predominantly Muslim, Black, or Brown populations, from entering the United States. This ban is unjust, discriminatory, and rooted in the same racist and hateful rhetoric that fueled Trump’s original 2017 Muslim Ban.

What Does the Ban Do?

The new ban severely restricts travel to the U.S. from 19 countries, targeting those seeking safety, opportunities, or reunification with loved ones. Here's how it works:

• It prohibits people from 19 countries from obtaining various U.S. visas, including family, work, student, and tourist visas.

• For 12 countries including Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, almost all travel is banned, regardless of purpose.

• For 7 countries including Cuba, Venezuela, and Sierra Leone, many visa categories are restricted, such as student and business visas.

A Snapshot comparing 2017 and 2025 Travel Bans.

The ban looks familiar, but our communities and systems of care have matured. With better networks, faster lawsuits, and an agreed upon shared story that refuses to let xenophobia write America's script again; Americans are showing up more prepared.

Who is Exempt from the Ban?

The following individuals unaffected:

• People who were already granted a U.S. visa before June 9, 2025.

• Green card holders (lawful permanent residents).

• People already in the U.S. who have been granted:

  • Asylum

  • Refugee status

  • Withholding of removal or protection under the Convention Against Torture

• Dual citizens traveling with a passport from non-banned countries.

• Travelers on certain diplomatic visas.

• Athletes and coaches participating in international competitions like the World Cup or Olympics.

• Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens seeking green card, including:

  • Spouses

  • Unmarried children under age 21

  • Parents of adult U.S. citizens

• Children arriving to the U.S. for adoption.

• Afghan nationals with special visas due to work on behalf of the U.S. government.

• People from Iran traveling on immigrant visas due to ethnic or religious persecution.

Why This Matters

At its core, this ban disregards human dignity while undermining America's stated commitment to asylum and humanitarian protection. Under the false claim of "national security", the ban unjustly targets people from countries facing war and stability, many of which are directly influencers by the U.S. foreign policies. These cruel political motives serve as a way for xenophobia to deepen into peoples' psyche while simultaneously wasting resources and increasing delays at airports and embassies.

Together, we must decisively fight back and build a future where everyone is treated with dignity, no matter where they come from.

What You Can Do Right Now

Heightened scrutiny at airports, ever changing policies, and discriminatory travel bans create confusion and concern in our communities. Sharing vetted and reliable information ensures our neighbors know their rights and are prepared to travel safely.

• Share this information widely with your community and further.

• Contact your members of Congress to support the NO BAN Act.

• Follow AMAC for updates.

Other Ways You Can Show Up for Our Neighbors

• Call out the cruelty of this ban and the administration enforcing it.

• Lift up local stories of those impacted: students, families, workers, refugees.

• Stand together, across faiths and backgrounds, to reject discrimination and uphold American values.