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
Federal audit of Rebuild Florida Program underway

Federal Review Begins for Rebuild Florida Initiative

The Deputy Inspector General for HUD discusses an audit of the Rebuild…
Man busted with anti-government, anti-Trump documents after Texas ICE ambush suspect phone call, feds say

Federal Authorities Claim Texas ICE Ambush Suspect Found with Anti-Government and Anti-Trump Documents

A man accused of tampering with evidence related to the attack on…
Gavin Newsom's Big Address to the Nation Was a Lie-Filled Disaster

Democrats Criticized for Supporting High-Density Housing Following California Wildfires

For quite some time, California Democrats have pushed for the development of…
Reckoning: Lisa Murkowski Censured Again by Alaska Republicans

Lisa Murkowski’s New Book Faces a Storm of Criticism in Reviews

This is too funny.  I’ve critiqued Princess Lisa Murkowski plenty, as have…
Illustration of Indiana fireworks legality: pie charts showing legal times to set off fireworks for various dates.

New July 9 ‘Fireworks’ Law Enforces Instant Fines in US Cities for Violations—With One Date Exception

PEOPLE who set off fireworks now face instant fines for breaking a…
New York ABSOLUTELY should ban masked 'protests'

New York Should Certainly Prohibit Masked ‘Protests’

Masked protestors took to the city streets, targeting Jewish neighborhoods, and voiced…
Flood recovery in San Marco faster with new pump station

Rapid Flood Recovery in San Marco Boosted by New Pump Station

A city spokesperson says many streets flooded in Wednesday’s deluge drained in…
Former public school teacher, 33, charged after 'prolonged pattern of abuse' with teen boy

Ex-public school teacher, 33, faces charges for ‘extended abuse’ involving teenage boy

A former South Carolina teacher was charged with having a prolonged inappropriate…
Florida tourist hotspot nearly becomes sanctuary city before leaders reverse ICE policy

Florida Tourist Destination Almost Becomes a Sanctuary City Before Officials Change Course on ICE Policy

Key West city officials have decided to renew their local law enforcement’s…
Ford recalls 850K vehicles over fuel pump failure

Ford Issues Recall for 850,000 Vehicles Due to Fuel Pump Problems

Ford Motor is recalling over 850,000 vehicles in the USA due to…
Carol Reith arrested for animal cruelty, 52 dogs rescued from 200 block of Sky Hill Road, Wauconda police say

Wauconda Police Report: Carol Reith Detained for Animal Cruelty; 52 Dogs Rescued on Sky Hill Road

WAUCONDA, Ill. (WLS) — A woman was arrested for animal cruelty after…
Photo of Darcy Deefholts.

Teen Surfer’s Dramatic Rescue: Swept 9 Miles Out to Sea and Stranded Overnight on Deserted Island

A 19-YEAR-OLD surfer was miraculously found alive and well after getting marooned…