News & Resources
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 7, 2025
PRESS CONTACT
Spencer Tilger | media@refugeerights.org
IRAP OPPOSES NEW TRAVEL BAN
Reports indicate discriminatory ban could be announced next week
(New York, NY) – In response to Reuters and New York Times reports that “A new travel ban by President Donald Trump could bar people from Afghanistan and Pakistan from entering the U.S. as soon as next week”, Laurie Ball Cooper, VP, U.S. Legal Programs, at the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), issued the following statement:
“Eight years ago, IRAP led the fight against the first Muslim ban. Lawyers and Americans from communities across the country came together to push back on President Trump’s politics of division and fear, and we continue to do so today.
Many of IRAP’s clients have been waiting years for their visas to be processed and remain in extremely dangerous circumstances. A new travel ban would put their lives at risk by denying them the opportunity to reach safety. Even a temporary suspension will result in immediate and lasting harm for refugees and their families.
While we do not yet know the full scope of who could be impacted, reports indicate that Afghan refugees targeted by the Taliban, including Special Immigrant Visa holders and others who supported the U.S. mission in Afghanistan, could all be subjected to this unlawful ban. It is shameful that the Trump administration is abandoning America’s promise to protect Afghan allies and other forcibly displaced people around the world.”
Additional Resources
- Learn about IRAP’s response to the first Muslim ban: HERE
- Read about IRAP’s advocacy on behalf of SIV applicants: 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.
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