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
FBI Director Kash Patel vows justice after DHS agent's vehicle rammed in Chicago

FBI Director Kash Patel Pledges Accountability Following Incident of DHS Agent’s Vehicle Being Rammed in Chicago

FBI Director Kash Patel vowed to ensure justice after two individuals allegedly…
California governor says Trump is sending 300 California National Guard members to Oregon

California Governor Announces Deployment of 300 National Guard Troops to Oregon by Trump

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — President Donald Trump is dispatching 300 members of…
Trial begins for men accused in 13-year-old Prince Holland's murder

Court Proceedings Start for Suspects in the Murder Case of 13-Year-Old Prince Holland

Opening statements in the trial of two men accused of killing 13-year-old…
Portland police chief touts 'crowd support' approach as ICE facility faces ongoing violence

Portland Police Chief Promotes ‘Community Support’ Strategy Amid Continued Unrest at ICE Facility

Portland Police Chief Bob Day supported the department’s new strategies and their…

Foster Poultry Farms recalls almost 4 million pounds of chicken corn dogs over wood contamination concerns

A significant recall has been issued by Foster Poultry Farms, involving over…
Brighton Park, Chicago shooting: Marimar Martinez, shot by CBP agent, Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz charged in 39th and Kedzie incident

Shooting in Brighton Park, Chicago: CBP Agent Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz Charged After Marimar Martinez is Shot Near 39th and Kedzie

CHICAGO (WLS) — A woman shot by a federal agent on Chicago’s…

Texas Mother Charged with Murder After Shooting Her Four Children, Killing Two

ANGLETON, Texas (AP) — Authorities reported that a Texas mother facing charges…
Members of international organized residential burglary ring arrested after posing as Amazon drivers, Irvine, CA break-in | Video

Montgomery, Alabama Tragedy: Two Killed and Twelve Injured in Downtown Shootout

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Amid a bustling downtown nightlife scene in Alabama’s capital…
National Guard Chicago news: Pentagon authorizes federal troops, Illinois official say; similar plan in Portland, Oregon blocked

Chicago National Guard Update: Federal Troops Approved by Pentagon, Illinois Representatives Announce; Portland, Oregon Plan Halted

CHICAGO — President Donald Trump has approved sending 300 Illinois National Guard…
Masked looters caught on camera trashing Florida store, stealing clothes

Masked Thieves Captured on Video Vandalizing and Looting Florida Clothing Store

Police in Florida are searching for two men caught on camera destroying…
GIF of suspect being rolled away

ICE Video Gains Attention as Agents Use Cart to Transport Uncooperative Portland Protester: ‘Won’t Walk? We’ll Take You Along’

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently released a video featuring a suspect…
Is 'Hocus Pocus 3' happening? Here's the latest we know

Will ‘Hocus Pocus 3’ Be Released? Updates on the Latest News

Midler’s posts began Oct. 1 and feature references to the cult classic…