For Immediate Release
June 5, 2025
Atlanta, GA – Women Watch Afrika Condemns the administration’s new Xenophobic, Racist, Anti-Immigrant, and Anti-Muslim Travel Ban. [And Call to Action!]
On June 4, 2025, the administration issued a Proclamation: “Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the US from Foreign Terrorists and other national security and public safety threats“, this proclamation introduced its discriminatory Travel Ban, banning and restricting travel as follows:
- Full restriction on entry of nationals from the following 12 countries: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. These restrictions distinguish between, but apply to both, the entry of immigrants and non-immigrants.
- Partial restriction on entry of nationals of the following 7 countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. These restrictions distinguish between, but apply to both, the entry of immigrants and non-immigrants.
It is clear that this new Travel Ban is divisive, discriminatory, and rooted in a desire to exclude countless Black and Brown and Muslim communities.
Sadly, this new travel ban is not the first of its kind. In 2018, Women Watch Afrika expressed its disappointment that the SCOTUS upheld the first extremely xenophobic and discriminatory travel ban; and in 2020 WWA’s position did not changed as we spoke out against the expanded travel ban version that was released. Now again, in 2025, we are faced with similar measures. With this new proclamation, it is obvious that the administration is expanding its attack on immigrants, on African immigrants, and on Muslim immigrants. Unfortunately, this administration’s current attack on Black and Brown immigrants is not surprising as the administration has continued to increase its methods of attacks against the immigrant community, hard-working and vulnerable members of our society.
The blatant manner in which the administration is carrying out its racist and xenophobic attacks on Africans, Immigrants, and Muslims through Executive Orders and Proclamations is disheartening. The disproportionate treatment of immigrants of color as related to the manner in which immigrants from areas the administration considers to be “non-sh*thole” countries are treated, is a human rights violation.
This new travel ban is a direct attack on the very real individuals who enrich our society, including some of the most vulnerable people in our society, such as workers that contribute to our economy, families fleeing persecution, students seeking education, and even individuals with critical medical needs. This ban will separate families and cause serious anxiety and chaos in our communities. Additionally, this broad immigration and travel ban will do grave damage to American families, communities, and businesses; and will undermine the United States’ standing on the global stage.
Immigrants are human beings and entitled to fair and equal treatment. Everyone should speak out against all versions of this anti-immigrant, anti-African, anti-refugee, anti-Muslim, and anti-asylum travel ban; as well speak up on the dangers of not curbing excessively broad Executive Order and Proclamation authority that are being applied unfairly and unequally.
Notice of Action: Women Watch Afrika and other civic organizations are joining our voices in speaking out against the unjust treatment of individuals targeted by this xenophobic, racist, anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim, anti-African travel ban.
CALL TO ACTION: We urge you to reach out to your Member of Congress to speak out against this xenophobic, racist, anti-African, anti-Muslim travel ban. Join us in this fight against discrimination and xenophobia.
Women Watch Afrika will continue to speak out against Injustice. We are not free, unless all of us are free.
#HumanRights #NoBan #NoWarOnPeople #NoSeparationofFamilies #FamiliesBelongTogether #NoWall #ImmigrantRights
—
As an expert in this field, Women Watch Afrika provides trainings as a consultant on numerous issues. For more information on training, guidance, consulting services, and/or information on working with immigrant communities contact Glory Kilanko, Founder and CEO, Women Watch Afrika, Inc. at 404-759-6419 or womenwatchafrika@gmail.com
About Women Watch Afrika:
Women Watch Afrika is a grassroots, nonprofit, international, national, and local social justice organization focused on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and girls, the promotion of social and economic development and health equity of women, and the acculturation of immigrants and refugees (men and women) arriving to the United States from 23 African nations.
In line with its goal, Women Watch Afrika provides Social Services, Legal Services, Advocacy, Health Education, Legal Education, End Domestic Violence classes, Stop FGM/C workshops, Reproductive Rights Education, Know Your Rights workshops, Citizenship Preparation, Civic Engagement; and Advocates against unjust, discriminatory laws that affect the community.
Website: https://womenwatchafrika.org/ Tel: 404-759-6419
Twitter: @WomenWatchAfri Facebook: @WomenWatchAfrika
Be a supporter of WWA and help us to continue this wonderful work and advocacy that we are doing! You may make a gift through the link below: