Photos and videos available here
Livestream is available here
Factsheet available here
New York, NY–Today, the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), member organizations, allies, and immigrant New Yorkers rallied and held a press conference at Foley Square.
Last week, the Trump administration announced an immediate travel ban barring people from 12 countries from entering the United States. People from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen are banned from entering the U.S., while those from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela will face restrictions.
This latest move is an escalation from Trump’s first-term travel ban, which primarily targeted Muslim-majority countries.
The Trump administration’s expanded Muslim and Travel ban is a disgusting assault on the nation’s core values of liberty, justice and equality for all. Targeting people solely based on nationality and religion is discriminatory, dangerous, and un-American. We beat a Muslim ban before, and we’ll do it again. Our fight for immigrant justice and dignity is stronger than their hate,” said Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO, New York Immigration Coalition.
“President Trump’s latest travel ban is rooted in the same racism and fearmongering we saw in 2017. It does nothing to make us safer and everything to isolate America and shut people out. I stand with our immigrant communities and with every New Yorker who believes that immigrants are the heart of our great city. We’ve fought this before, and we’ll fight it again,” said U.S. Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez, NY-7.
Donald Trump’s latest travel ban is not a new policy. This is the same discriminatory playbook we’ve seen before that's designed to tear families apart, sow fear within immigrant communities, and rewrite everything this nation stands for. Bigotry in the name of security will never have a place in America. But no matter what this president or his despicable administration might think, our immigrant neighbors always will,” said U.S. Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, NY-9.
“The Trump administration’s latest travel ban only advances bigotry and hate, while undermining national security and public safety. By primarily targeting African and Middle Eastern countries, like its first iteration, it is dangerous, xenophobic, and fundamentally antithetical to our values. I stand with New Yorkers and people across the country in opposing Trump’s travel ban that takes our country backwards and makes people less safe,” said New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams.
"This ban of immigrants and visitors from 12 countries is nothing more than white supremacy in action. NYC is a welcoming city and stands firmly in our support and protection of immigrants. We need this ban to end. We must immediately stop denying refuge for people facing threats in their country of origin. It is heinous, racist, and political violence,” said Councilmember Alexa Avilés, District 38.
“Donald Trump's xenophobic and racist travel ban targets our immigrant communities and rips families apart. He is pitting us against our neighbors, but we will not turn our back on each other. We know our strength is in our diversity, in supporting families, and in protecting immigrants. Together, we will fight against this travel ban, just as we did in 2017. We are stronger, and I will always fight for our immigrant community," said Councilmember Shekar Krishnan, District 25.
“I oppose all federal policies that further target already marginalized communities in New York City and across the country. The President’s latest proposed travel bans directly harm immigrant New Yorkers and millions of Americans. When President Trump imposed similar bans during his first administration, the result was immediate: families were separated, and a climate of fear and uncertainty took hold in affected communities. This administration has deliberately targeted Black and brown nations to advance an agenda rooted in fear and division—manufacturing ‘enemies’ to distract from the real, everyday challenges Americans face. From skyrocketing rents and unaffordable healthcare to the rising cost of basic goods—all issues that have been worsened by this administration’s actions. Instead of offering solutions, this President continues to tear families apart and destabilize communities. President Trump’s travel ban does not represent what we stand for here in New York City, nor should it be what we represent as a nation. I will continue to stand with all New Yorkers affected by this Administration’s xenophobic policies,” said Councilmember Crystal Hudson, District 35.
“As the first Muslim woman elected to the New York City Council, representing a large, diverse, Muslim community in Brooklyn, I strongly denounce the Trump administration’s latest travel ban on 19 Muslim-majority countries. We’ve seen the fallout from these bans firsthand, dating back nearly a decade to the first Muslim travel ban in 2017. This cruel and discriminatory policy is a shameful extension of anti-Muslim and anti-Black rhetoric that seeks to divide our communities, separate families, and strip us of our humanity. We all have a responsibility to reject these policies wherever and whenever they emerge,” said Councilmember Shahana Hanif, District 39.
"The decision to impose travel restrictions on 12 countries represents a despicable and deeply troubling moment for our community. Haiti is once again being unfairly targeted and this is clearly an intentional attack on our identity and dignity. This federal government has exhibited ongoing hostility toward Haiti and Haitian nationals in the United States—people who have fought to make their home here and invested heavily in our economy while supporting our shared values. Together, we stand committed to protecting our community and ensuring their voices are heard,” said Councilmember Farah N. Louis, District 45.
“President Trump's new travel ban is disgusting and discriminatory. He has turned his back on people from countries where the US has caused centuries of suffering and violence, including my parents' homeland of Haiti. This goes against the fundamental ethos of the United States as a land of refuge and opportunity for people from all across the world. But we will not be intimidated by this act of hate - we will continue to fight back,” said Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest, District 57.
"At ACCESS of WNY, we are deeply concerned about the human impact of the new travel restrictions. As an organization dedicated to reuniting families and supporting newcomers from all backgrounds, we know firsthand how devastating it is when loved ones are kept apart. These broad restrictions risk causing unnecessary harm to innocent families seeking safety, stability, and the chance to be together. We will continue to stand with our community and advocate for policies that reflect our shared values of fairness, dignity, and inclusion,” said Talib Abdullah, LMSW, Executive Director, ACCESS of WNY.
"The Trump administration’s travel ban is yet another attack on our immigrant, Muslim, and Arab communities. The repercussions of the first Muslim travel ban in 2017, which separated families and denied those seeking refuge their safety and dignity, are still felt in our communities. Now, as the administration detains student organizers exercising their First Amendment rights and community members as they attend routine court hearings, the announcement of the newest travel ban makes it crystal clear that this administration will continue to target Black and Brown immigrant communities in cruel and inhumane ways. It is more important now than ever that we stand together to fight codified racism and xenophobia in all its forms, and that we do not give up until all of our immigrant communities can find peace and security,” saidMaryam Khaldi, Advocacy & Civic Engagement Manager, Arab American Association of New York.
“In 2017, this government issued a muslim travel ban. Now, 8 years later, the list of affected countries has grown significantly. This policy reflects a troubling mix of racism and xenophobia. It’s not just about borders — it’s about the real lives being impacted. This ban is destroying the hopes and dreams of an entire generation of talented young people from these countries, while tearing families apart and creating lasting harm for future generations, including those already living here,” said Mammad Mahmoodi, Co-Founder, EVLovesNYC.
“This is not about national security — this is about systemic racism, xenophobia, and the criminalization of Black, Brown, and Muslim people globally. Once again, U.S. immigration policy is being weaponized to deny entry, dignity, and basic human rights to people from countries that have long borne the brunt of colonialism, Western intervention, and economic extraction.” This is the same administration that is actively taking away legal status and accelerate the kidnapping and deportations of Black, brown and immigrants who don't fit their agenda only to import the so called White “refugees” from South Africa under the false claim of genocide,” said Guerline Jozef, Founder and Executive Director, Haitian Bridge Alliance.
“Immigrant ARC was born out of the original Muslim Ban, mobilizing lawyers at JFK Airport to reunite families and defend due process. Nearly eight years later, we are once again confronting a policy rooted in fear and discrimination. This new travel ban doesn’t make us safer; it separates families and retraumatizes communities. We want immigrants to know they are not alone. If you’re planning to travel or are in the middle of the family reunification process, we urge you to consult with a trusted immigration attorney. We’re monitoring developments closely and will continue to fight for the rights and dignity of every immigrant New Yorker,” said Gillian Rowland Kain, Interim Director of Programs, Immigrant ARC.
“While we are outraged at the Trump Administration’s announcement of a travel ban targeting predominantly Muslim & African majority nations, we are not surprised. We remain committed to defending and advancing the rights of all immigrants regardless of status as we did in Trump’s first term,” said Linda Sarsour, Executive Director, MPower Change Action.
“This policy revives a dark era of exclusion. The new travel ban does nothing to make our country safer—it only deepens fear, fractures families, and targets communities already marginalized. We stand with NYIC and all our allies in demanding policies that reflect our values of dignity, equity, and true security—not scapegoating,” said Husein Yatabarry, Executive Director, Muslim Community Network.