Trump travel ban criticized for potential harm and discrimination

A new travel ban imposed by President Trump restricts travel from Afghanistan, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, and partially restricts travel from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, stated the ban is discriminatory, racist, and cruel, targeting individuals based on race, religion, or nationality from countries with predominantly Black, Brown, and Muslim populations. This, she said, constitutes racial discrimination under international human rights law and reinforces misleading ideas about security risks.

The ban also violates the right to seek and enjoy asylum from persecution and the U.S. obligation to protect those fleeing war-torn regions, human rights violations, and dangerous situations. Callamard noted that asylum access at U.S. borders is already limited, and the ban will further inflict suffering on those seeking safety.

This travel ban represents another instance of the Trump administration’s actions impacting the rights of immigrants and those seeking safety. It is based on racism and xenophobia and is unrelated to national security.

Callamard added that President Trump’s actions, including targeting immigrants for exercising free speech, family separation, and mass deportations, have put tens of millions of people in the United States at risk. Amnesty International will continue to advocate for a world where all people are treated with dignity, immigrants are welcomed and recognized for their contributions, and communities are united.