Armenian-American Action Network
Strongly Opposes Reinstatement of Travel Ban
January 22, 2025
UNITED STATES– Armenian-American Action Network (AAAN) strongly opposes Executive Order “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats,” issued by President Trump on January 20, 2025. This order initiates the process of reinstating the travel ban, instructing federal agencies to assess which nationalities will face full or partial visa restrictions. Additionally, it establishes a 60-day window for reviving the ban and introduces provisions that could lead to the deportation of individuals who were lawfully issued visas within the past four years, despite the repeal of the previous ban.
This new order mirrors Executive Order 13679 and its subsequent iterations from Trump’s first term, which barred entry to nationals from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. These policies inflicted widespread harm on immigrant and refugee communities. Armenian families were among those affected, particularly individuals from Iran and Syria, where significant Armenian populations resided. As is the case now, such individuals faced the travel ban, during a period of significant regional upheaval, displacement, and humanitarian crisis. The reinstatement of such discriminatory policies threatens to once again disrupt lives, separate families, and deny vulnerable populations access to safety and opportunity.
Banning individuals based on their nationality and country of origin contradicts the fundamental principles of democracy, pluralism, and human rights that the United States claims to uphold. Immigrants and refugees, many of whom are fleeing war, persecution, and genocide, should not be punished or excluded based on their identity or place of birth. These policies do not enhance safety; rather, they fuel xenophobia, deepen discrimination, and undermine the United States’ global standing as a nation that welcomes those in need.
As with previous travel bans, this order will create irreparable harm—seperating families, creating fear in communities, and imposing unnecessary legal and financial burdens on those seeking safety and stability.
Armenian-American Action Network calls on the administration to immediately rescind the order and urges Congress and the American public to reject these policies. We stand in solidarity with all impacted communities and will continue to fight against immigration policies that violate the principles of justice and equality.
Resources:
NIAC Travel Ban Center: https://www.niacouncil.org/travelban/
ADC National Breakdown on 2017 Travel Ban Executive Order: https://adc.org/community-adivsory-toolkit-on-arab-muslim-ban/
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