CAIR-NJ Calls Trump’s New Travel Ban ‘Morally Corrupt, Racist and Anti-Muslim’

(NEWARK, NJ) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) today condemned President Donald Trump’s new and expanded travel ban targeting 19 mostly Muslim and African nations, rejecting it as "morally corrupt, racist and anti-Muslim."

The ban, which goes into effect next week, was signed Wednesday by Trump in a new proclamation titled, “Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.

The expanded ban fully suspends immigration and nonimmigrant visas for citizens of Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen who do not already have legal status in the United States and who do not fall into any of the other exceptions and exemptions mentioned in the proclamation.

The ban also imposes partial restrictions on Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

The new ban includes several important exceptions, such as an exemption for anyone who already has legal status and immediate family members seeking to immigrate to America, which makes the ban less extreme than the two original Muslim Bans that President Trump enacted during his first term before successful lawsuits blocked their implementation.

The ban goes into effect June 9.

In a statement, CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said:

“Targeting Muslim and African communities based on their religion, national origin or political beliefs is morally corrupt, racist and anti-Muslim. The latest travel restrictions, which disproportionately affect Muslim and African nations, is a deeply flawed policy that undermines our Constitution and our shared values of justice and equality.

“Blanket bans on students, workers, and families seeking to enter the United States do not enhance national security—they only cause needless harm, separate loved ones, and limit opportunities for education, medical care, and cultural exchange.

“Our immigration system already includes thorough vetting procedures. Additional ideological screening measures and broad exclusions based on nationality risk being misused to silence dissent and marginalize vulnerable communities.

“CAIR-NJ strongly opposes this policy and remains committed to defending the civil rights of all impacted communities. We call on our elected officials and the public to reject fear-based policies and stand up for justice.”

CAIR-NJ advises community members impacted by the ban to:

• Consult an Immigration Attorney: Seek qualified legal counsel to assess how this proclamation impacts your immigration status and explore appropriate legal responses.
• Avoid Non-Essential Travel: Although the ban theoretically does not apply to lawful permanent residents and others with valid immigration status even if they are citizens of a targeted countries, the administration’s separate attempts to target such immigrants based on their advocacy for Palestine remains a threat to travelers.
• Maintain Documents Securely: Keep physical and digital copies of passports, visas, green cards, and employment authorization handy and secure.
• Stay Informed of Your Rights: Review CAIR’s latest “Know Your Rights” resources for guidance on interactions with immigration officials and law enforcement.

CAIR-NJ urges anyone who experiences or witnesses harassment or civil rights violations linked to this ban to immediately report incidents to CAIR-NJ via the Report an Incident form.

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.