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
Maine network ends primary care after losing Medicaid due to Trump defunding Planned Parenthood

Maine Healthcare Network Halts Primary Care Services Amid Medicaid Cuts Linked to Planned Parenthood Funding Changes

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Amid funding cuts targeting abortion providers by the…
Idaho police call out 'gross inaccuracies' in Kohberger TV special, special prosecutor investigating leaks

Prosecutors Allege Idaho Murder Suspect Bryan Kohberger Receives Funds Despite Claiming Inability to Compensate Victims

EXCLUSIVE: Convicted murderer Bryan Kohberger, who was found guilty of killing four…
Hurricane Melissa: Haiti, Jamaica and Cuba pick up the pieces after storm's destruction

Hurricane Melissa’s Aftermath: Haiti, Jamaica, and Cuba Begin Recovery Efforts Following Devastating Impact

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, people throughout the northern Caribbean were…
FBI Chief Kash Patel SHUTS DOWN Joe Kent’s Probe

FBI Director Kash Patel Halts Joe Kent’s Investigation: Key Developments Unveiled

FBI Director Kash Patel has abruptly terminated an investigation into possible foreign…
Off-camera hearings for Charlie Kirk's suspected assassin raise warning from legal expert

Legal Expert Raises Concerns Over Off-Camera Hearings in Case of Alleged Charlie Kirk Assassin

A judge in Utah is facing criticism for conducting multiple off-camera hearings…
Pregnant widow shares husband's final text before alleged fatal sucker punch outside Arizona bar

Heartbreaking: Pregnant Widow Reveals Husband’s Last Text Before Tragic Incident at Arizona Bar

A pregnant widow shared the haunting final text message from her husband,…
Luigi Mangione gains prominence at federal jail where guards like him and inmates dub him 'ambassador': report

Meet Luigi Mangione: The ‘Ambassador’ Changing the Game at Federal Jail

Luigi Mangione, the accused assassin of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, has gained notable recognition…
2025 Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and Parade to step off down Michigan Avenue in Chicago this November

Don’t Miss the 2025 Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and Parade Lighting Up Michigan Avenue This November!

The vibrant Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and Parade is set to…
Grandfather allegedly 'boiled alive' after 136-degree shower scalds skin at California hotel

California Hotel Tragedy: Grandfather Fatally Scalded in 136-Degree Shower Incident

A tragic incident has occurred involving a Marine veteran and grandfather who…
Fox News ‘Antisemitism Exposed’ Newsletter: Will New York City's next mayor hate Jews?

Fox News Investigates: Could New York City’s Next Mayor Be Antisemitic?

Fox News’ “Antisemitism Exposed” newsletter delivers critical insights on the increasing anti-Jewish…
Fury over Dictionary.com's Word Of The Year: '6 7'

Controversy Erupts as Dictionary.com Announces ‘6 7’ as Word of the Year

Dictionary.com has revealed its Word of the Year, and it’s likely not…
Father-to-be wakes from coma, tells police girlfriend crashed car on purpose before he dies

Coma Survivor Alleges Intentional Car Crash by Girlfriend Before Passing Away

A tragic incident unfolded earlier this month when a 22-year-old man, Daniel…