Chicago immigration advocates and politicians have vocally opposed a travel ban announced by the Trump administration, set to restrict entry for travelers from 19 countries.
U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García condemned the measure, characterizing it as a diversion tactic by President Donald Trump amid ongoing political controversies.
García emphasized that the travel ban would not enhance national safety but rather create distrust among communities, stating, “This travel ban won’t make America safer or greater — instead it will isolate us and make people believe they have something to fear.”
The travel restrictions will apply to travelers from a dozen nations, including Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, and others, while also tightening regulations on individuals from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, and several additional countries.
In his proclamation, President Trump justified the travel ban by asserting the need to protect national security and the interests of the United States and its citizens. He expressed his willingness to collaborate with nations that improve information-sharing and identity management procedures.
“As President, I must act to protect the national security and national interest of the United States and its people,” Trump said, emphasizing his commitment to address both terrorism-related and public safety risks.
The list of restricted countries was created based on a report analyzing “hostile attitudes” toward the U.S. This analysis was conducted by the State Department, Homeland Security, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
In response, the Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) denounced the travel ban as ideologically driven and unnecessary, arguing it was enacted under a false guise of security.
Ahmed Rehab, the executive director of CAIR-Chicago, stated, “It’s smoke and mirrors. There is no evidence that birthplace determines behavior other than in racist textbooks. This is therefore not about national security, but politics.”
CAIR also urged individuals who might be affected by the travel restrictions to consult with immigration attorneys, as many could face complications at U.S. ports of entry despite being green card holders or having valid visas.
Grace Pai, executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Chicago, linked the travel ban to prior draconian immigration policies implemented in the Trump administration, labeling them as discriminatory against immigrant populations.
Just ahead of the travel ban’s announcement, community activists confronted federal agents who were detaining immigrants outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Chicago.
Although ICE did not disclose the number of arrests made, local estimates indicated that more than ten individuals were detained.
Pai emphasized the contributions of immigrant communities to American society, stating, “The overall message from the Trump administration is that immigrants are not welcome here. And that couldn’t be further from the truth. Our communities would not be what they are — our society would not be what it is — without immigrant communities.”
She committed to fighting against the new travel ban and advocating for the rights of immigrant populations through community organization efforts.
In 2017, President Trump initially issued a travel ban that restricted entry from several predominantly Muslim countries, which sparked widespread protests across the nation, including at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago.
In his recent proclamation, Trump claimed that the 2017 travel ban had effectively prevented security threats from entering the U.S. However, that order faced numerous legal challenges and was altered multiple times before the Supreme Court upheld a version in 2018.
Former President Joe Biden rescinded those restrictions upon taking office in 2021.
Stephanie Gee, senior director for U.S. legal services at the International Refugee Assistance Project, noted the similarities between the new travel ban and the previous one.
“I would say they’re taking the structure and foundation of the Muslim ban — and its roots in xenophobia and racism and religious animus — and just multiplying it toward other new populations and countries this time around,” she said.
Gee described the new measures as discriminatory and highlighted the continued impact of such policies on various communities.
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