- Civil rights groups warn Trump’s executive order could reinstate discriminatory travel ban targeting predominantly Muslim and Arab countries
- Order provides broader powers to deny visas and deport individuals based on perceived “hostile attitudes” toward U.S. culture and institutions
U.S. civil rights groups have raised alarms over an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump, fearing it could lead to the reinstatement of a travel ban targeting predominantly Muslim or Arab countries.
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) criticized the order, stating it relies on the same legal framework to justify Trump’s 2017 travel ban.
The group warned that it provides even broader powers to deny visa applications and deport individuals already in the U.S. The ADC also launched a 24-hour hotline (844-232-9955) to assist those affected.
The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) expressed concerns that the order, titled “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats,” would separate U.S. families and reduce enrollment at American universities.
The order directs top officials from the State, Justice, Homeland Security, and intelligence agencies to identify within 60 days any countries with inadequate vetting systems. These deficiencies could lead to partial or full suspensions of nationals from those countries.
The new directive extends beyond the 2017 ban, adding provisions to deny visas or entry to individuals with “hostile attitudes” toward U.S. citizens, culture, or institutions. It also sets up a process to revoke visas granted since January 2021.
Former State Department official Josef Burton warned at a NIAC conference that the order grants the government “undefined authority” to deny various types of visas, including those for students, workers, and exchange programs.
Despite repeated inquiries, the White House has not responded to requests for clarification about the order. Rights groups remain vigilant, cautioning that the new measures could have far-reaching consequences for affected individuals and their families.
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