News & Resources
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 16, 2025
MEDIA CONTACT
Spencer Tilger | media@refugeerights.org
IRAP CONDEMNS EXPANDED TRAVEL BAN
Today’s proclamation will sow fear and separate more families
(New York, NY) – Today, President Trump issued a Presidential Proclamation expanding its travel ban to additional countries and narrowing exemptions for family members of U.S. citizens. In addition to the previously restricted countries, this expanded ban categorically prevents nationals of Burkina Faso, Laos, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Syria, and individuals using travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority (PA) from entering the United States. It also adds partial restrictions to fifteen additional countries.
Notably, the previous travel ban’s exemptions of certain categories have been narrowed and no longer exempt immediate family members of United States citizens. This will mean that families could be separated indefinitely, including from their spouses and children. Additionally, today’s announcement comes after recent guidance expanding implementation of the June 2025 travel ban to include an indefinite pause on the adjudication of all immigration applications and petitions for people from these countries, as well as the re-examination of those approved during the Biden administration.
Many of the nationals from impacted countries were also targeted by previous government actions, such as the termination of Temporary Protected Status for people from Syria and South Sudan, leaving thousands of individuals at risk of deportation to countries the government itself has deemed unsafe.
The following is a statement from Laurie Ball Cooper, Vice President, U.S. Legal Programs, at the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP):
“IRAP condemns the Trump administration’s escalating crackdown on immigrants from Muslim-majority and non-white countries. This expanded ban is not about national security but instead is another shameful attempt to demonize people simply for where they are from.
Subjecting more people to this policy is especially harmful given the administration’s recent invocation of the travel ban to prevent immigrants already living in the United States from accessing basic immigration benefits, including pulling them out of line at citizenship ceremonies. The expanded proclamation notably includes Palestinians and eliminates some exceptions to the original ban.
This racist and xenophobic ban will keep families apart, but we are prepared to defend our clients, their communities, and the American values of welcome, justice, and dignity for all.”
Additional Resources
- Read the Proclamation: HERE
- Read the White House Fact Sheet: HERE
- Read IRAP’s explainer on the expanded travel ban: HERE
The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) is a global legal aid and advocacy organization working to create a world where refugees and all people seeking safety are empowered to claim their right to freedom of movement and a path to lasting refuge. Everyone should have a safe place to live and a safe way to get there.
###