Chicago O'Hare airport travelers criticize President Donald Trump's US 12-country travel ban
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — People in Chicago are reacting to President Donald Trump’s new travel ban affecting 12 countries.

There are restrictions on other countries, too.

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

President Trump has said this is about safety.

The ban took effect overnight, and is already causing confusion and issues for some people.

The countries listed on the ban have populations that are predominantly people of color.

Some at O’Hare Monday morning have families abroad. They said they’d be devastated if they could not see their loved ones.

“My wife or my kids is here. I’m from Eritrea. I came from Eritrea. If they’re telling me to ban me, that’s not really fair,” Mesfil Wrdofa said.

Wrdofa is from Ethiopia, but mentions he understands the feelings of those from Eritrea. Eritrea is among the 12 countries now prohibited from entering the United States.

“It’s kind of prejudice to me. That’s what I can say,” Wrdofa said.

The travel ban is felt by anyone who knows what it’s like to have loved ones overseas.

“I wouldn’t want my family to be stuck,” said Calvin Jackson, who has family in Liberia. “I think generalization is always not a good thing.”

Although Jackson’s family doesn’t originate from any of the nations listed in President Trump’s travel ban, he believes America establishes a standard for the world.

“If they perceive that America is not doing the right thing, I think they, themselves, they are not going to do the right thing, and then we are just going to be in a chaotic world without good leadership,” Jackson stated.

The ban announced Wednesday applies to people from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. It’s also putting on restrictions for people in places like Cuba and Venezuela, who are outside the United States and don’t hold a visa.

President Trump has claimed this is to protect the national security and national interest of the country, but others say the move goes too far.

“If there’s a genuine national security reason, I think it should be explicit, instead of just doing it and just be ambiguous and saying it’s for national security reasons,” Jackson said.

The ban will not only impact people coming from those countries, but adoptions, as well, as many international travelers are pleading for the government to take it back.

“I’m just appealing to them to reaching the decision because I don’t think it’s a good thing,” Jackson said.

Several refugee organizations are already preparing to push back on the ban with legal action.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Trump says he has given Iranian negotiators 'immunity from death'

Trump Claims to Offer Iranian Negotiators Unprecedented ‘Immunity from Death

On Sunday, President Trump asserted that he has extended an “immunity from…
Artemis II breaks Apollo 13's distance record as humans travel farther from Earth than ever before | WATCH LIVE

Artemis II Sets New Milestone, Surpassing Apollo 13’s Distance Record in Historic Human Spaceflight | Watch Live

The Artemis II crew made history on Monday as they journeyed farther…
California pays billions for erectile dysfunction and allergies

California Allocates Billions to Combat Erectile Dysfunction and Allergy Healthcare Costs

California finds itself in a financial bind, shelling out billions annually due…
Airstrikes come within 82 yards of Iran's nuclear power plant: UN watchdog

Near Miss: Airstrikes Threaten Iran’s Nuclear Power Plant, UN Watchdog Reports

Allied forces have launched airstrikes targeting areas surrounding Iran’s sole operational nuclear…
Australia's most decorated living veteran, Ben Roberts-Smith, to be charged with committing 5 war crime murders in Afghanistan

Australia’s Top Decorated Veteran Ben Roberts-Smith Faces Charges for 5 Alleged War Crimes in Afghanistan

Australia’s most highly decorated living veteran, Ben Roberts-Smith, is reportedly facing charges…
Woman gives birth midflight as air traffic controller suggests fitting name for baby

Miracle in the Sky: Woman Delivers Baby Midflight with Air Traffic Controller’s Perfect Name Suggestion

Creating a memorable moment in the skies, a woman delivered her baby…
Girl who survived brutal Florida shark attack returns to waters where it happened: 'She's fearless'

Fearless Comeback: Brave Florida Girl Faces Her Shark Attack Fears Head-On

Shark attacks 9-year-old girl in Florida The Lee County Sheriff’s Office released…
NYC lanternfly plague 2026 set to rebound after dip

New York City Braces for Resurgence in Lanternfly Population After Temporary Decline in 2026

Imagine finding not just one, but millions of pesky lanternflies in New…
Bald-headed killer smiles as prosecutors reveal what she did before dad walked in

Chilling Details Emerge: Bald-Headed Killer’s Sinister Actions Revealed Before Father Interrupts

A woman from Washington state, who occasionally smiled during court proceedings, has…
American woman Lynette Hooker missing in Bahamas after going overboard during boat ride with husband identified

Search Intensifies for Missing American Lynette Hooker After Mysterious Overboard Incident in Bahamas

An American woman, passionate about sailing and adventure, remains missing after falling…
Matt Mahan slams Trump endorsement of GOP rival Steve Hilton

Matt Mahan Criticizes Trump’s Support for GOP Opponent Steve Hilton

According to a Democratic contender, President Donald Trump’s endorsement of ex-Fox News…
After That Embarrassing NY Times ‘NATO’ Headline the Press Opposes Applying Their Own Standards

Media Double Standards: Press Criticizes New York Times Over Controversial NATO Headline

The New York Times found itself in a bit of hot water…