President Donald Trump's resurrected travel ban on 12 countries to affect minority families in Chicago area, refugee groups say
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — President Donald Trump is resurrecting his travel ban.

This time, most of the countries on his list have populations that are majority Black, many with relatives in the Chicago area.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Ednerson Jean Baptiste moved from Haiti two decades ago. Given the severe instability and danger in his homeland, he hoped that more of his relatives could join him in Chicago.

“As immigrants, we understand the value of hard work,” stated Jean Baptiste. “When we arrive in this country, our aim is not to create problems. We want to contribute and strengthen the economy because we see this as an admirable nation.”

This is a xenophobic attempt at family separation, and just the rhetoric around it just doesn’t match the countries that are listed.

Fasika Alem, United African Organization

However, President Trump believes people from certain countries are in the U.S. to cause trouble.

Haiti is one of 12 countries on a travel ban to begin Monday. Seven other countries have restrictions.

“Well, we don’t want to have other bad people coming into our country, by using the word bad, I’m being nice,” Trump said.

Besides Haiti, the travel ban mostly affects the Middle East and Africa.

“We strongly view this as a xenophobic effort to separate families, and the discourse surrounding it doesn’t align with the countries listed,” expressed Fasika Alem from the United African Organization.

President Trump escalated his immigration crack down following the recent attack in Boulder, Colorado. The suspect charged overstayed his VISA. He is from Egypt, which is not on Trump’s list.

The United African Organization helps resettle refugees. Alem, a program director, said the ban not only prevents families and friends from spending special events together. It also affects Americans who adopt a child from one of the countries.

“I was to adopt a child from any of those countries, it would not enable them to migrate under family based petition, they would be restricted because they are not blood relation,” Alem said.

Alem and Jean Baptiste said most people leaving the countries on Trump’s list are doing so because they are escaping war or persecution not caused by their own actions.

“There’s a lot of Haitians who would probably whether to die here than to go back to like, you know, certain part of the country because of the unsafe, because of there isn’t there’s no safety there,” Jean Baptiste said.

Like it did in 2016. the United African Organization said it will join with other refugee organizations to push back against the travel ban, which could possibly mean legal action.

“Nobody wants to leave home unless they have to, and I think that is important for people to understand,” Alem said.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Readers sound off on aid for landlords, departing Mets stars and a seized oil tanker

Debate Ignites Over Landlord Assistance, Mets Star Exits, and Seized Oil Tanker Drama

With a little help, private landlords can do it Staten Island: In…
Michelle Kwan, retired Olympic figure skater, welcomes second child

Michelle Kwan Celebrates Joyful Arrival of Second Child: A Heartwarming Update from the Olympic Legend

She joyfully declared, “Christmas came early,” celebrating the arrival of her second…
Man sentenced to for running over, killing son in Jacksonville

Jacksonville Tragedy: Father Sentenced in Heartbreaking Fatal Hit-and-Run Case Involving Son

Authorities report that a heated dispute over baby wipes and money between…
Tyler Robinson surveillance video - National File

Exclusive: Tyler Robinson Surveillance Footage Unveiled by National File – Key Insights and Implications

A Utah TV investigation has uncovered that surveillance footage reportedly showing Charlie…
State Department stays quiet as Albania reinstates deputy PM accused of corruption

Albania Reinstates Controversial Deputy PM Amid State Department’s Silence

The U.S. State Department remains tight-lipped on an escalating corruption scandal in…
Wounded National Guardsman is making 'extraordinary progress,' can breathe on his own: doctor

National Guardsman Exhibits Remarkable Recovery, Now Breathing Independently, Reports Doctor

The National Guardsman who sustained a gunshot wound to the head in…
Georgia woman hospitalized after attacker hurls corrosive chemical during evening walk

Georgia Woman Hospitalized Following Assault with Corrosive Substance During Evening Stroll

A Georgia woman is on the road to recovery after suffering severe…
Mike Lupica: Mets and Yankees apparently have nothing better to do than fight over Cody Bellinger

Cody Bellinger Sparks Rivalry Between Mets and Yankees as Teams Compete for His Signature

In the fast-paced realm of New York City’s baseball scene, Cody Bellinger…
Florida influencer, 41, accused of inappropriately touching, exposing herself to teenage son's friend

Florida Social Media Personality, 41, Faces Allegations of Misconduct Involving Teen Son’s Friend

A Florida micro-influencer found herself in legal trouble last November after allegations…
Obese man on death row chooses buffet of BBQ, wings, cheeseburger, pizza, ice cream for last meal in Georgia

Georgia Death Row Inmate Opts for BBQ Feast as His Final Meal Choice

An inmate on death row in Georgia, grappling with obesity, has made…
Venezuela accuses US of 'piracy' after seizing massive oil tanker

Venezuela Condemns US ‘Piracy’ Over Seizure of Major Oil Tanker, Escalating Tensions

On Wednesday, Venezuela issued a strong condemnation of the United States’ seizure…
GOP state Sen. Rick Niemeyer explains Indiana redistricting vote rejecting plan backed by Donald Trump ahead of 2026 midterms

Indiana GOP Senator Rick Niemeyer Reveals Why He Dismissed Trump’s Redistricting Plan Before 2026 Elections

In a surprising political move, a state senator from northwest Indiana has…