SILVER SPRING, Md.— HIAS is appalled at the announcement of new travel restrictions for individuals from 19 countries. This policy is similar to the “Muslim Ban” in the first Trump administration, in its restriction on lawful travel to the United States for millions of people because of their nationality. HIAS strongly opposed the travel ban in the first Trump administration, advocating in the courts and to elected officials, and will oppose it as stridently today.
“Tonight’s announcement marks another blow to the basic rule of law in this country. To suggest that banning individuals from entering the United States, simply based on their country of origin, will somehow keep us safer is absurd”, said Naomi Steinberg, HIAS vice president of U.S. Policy and Advocacy.
The new travel ban includes full restrictions for Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, and partial restrictions for Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. With few exceptions, it affects people traveling for reasons as varied as college studies, visiting family for the holidays, or going on vacation.
“The proclamation claims that these restrictions are ‘common sense security standards,’ but there is nothing about this that makes any sense,” Steinberg continued. “If implemented, these bans will only serve to further isolate the United States from the rest of the global community, and in the end, put us at greater risk instead of making us more secure.”
For press inquiries, contact media@hias.org.