The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today released footage from its webinar detailing the impact of a potential new Muslim travel ban and increased immigration security on American Muslims and other travelers. Recorded on February 27, the webinar offers community members, immigrants and potential travelers guidance about how to protect their legal rights.
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Titled “Potential New Muslim Travel Ban, Enhanced Immigration Scrutiny, and What Steps to Take,” this webinar features remarks from CAIR’s Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, Senior Litigation Attorney Gadeir Abbas, and National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell.
The Trump administration has set March 21, 2025, as the deadline for federal agencies to submit a report to the White House identifying countries with “deficient” visa vetting practices. Mandated by Executive Order 14161, “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats,” this report is expected to pave the way for a renewed travel ban, potentially affecting nationals from multiple Muslim-majority countries.
Although it does not immediately reinstate the 2017 Muslim Ban, the order lays the groundwork for new entry restrictions under the guise of national security. Citizens of countries targeted could potentially include nationals of Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Palestine/Gaza, Syria, Venezuela, North Korea or any other nations the administration declares to have fatally flawed vetting and security procedures.
CAIR’s Preemptive Recommendations
Given these developments, and the risk that an executive order could attempt to target lawful permanent residents in ways similar to the very first travel ban signed in 2017 and blocked by courts, CAIR advises potentially impacted people inside the United States to take the following steps:
- Consult an Immigration Attorney – if you are a citizen of a country at high risk of being included in a future travel ban, seek legal counsel to review your immigration status and discuss your rights.
- Avoid International Travel – If you are a citizen of a potentially listed country, do not leave the United States unless absolutely necessary over the next 30 days, as re-entry may be denied if a new ban is enacted on March 21st.
- Keep Copies of Your Documents – Maintain physical and electronic copies of all important travel and immigration documents in a secure and accessible location to ensure you have evidence of your status readily available.
- Stay Informed and Know Your Rights – Familiarize yourself with your legal rights in case of encounters with immigration authorities. CAIR has released a new ‘Know Your Rights’ guide specifically addressing interactions with ICE agents, which provides essential information on how to protect yourself during such encounters.
CAIR’s recorded webinar covers these topics, and much more.
CAIR is committed to protecting civil rights, challenging discriminatory immigration policies, and opposing efforts to suppress free speech. We urge individuals, organizations, and allies to stand against this administration’s attempts to revive a Muslim Ban and weaponize immigration laws against political dissent.
For further information or to report an incident, contact CAIR’s Civil Rights Department by filling out this form: Report an incident.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com