Travel ban

BJC opposes attempts to target anyone for unfair treatment based on religion, including the so-called “travel ban.” These executive actions, which began in 2017, violate and endanger religious freedom by singling out one faith for disfavored treatment. BJC remains concerned that such actions use religious identity as a proxy for “security threat” and a reason for exclusion.

STATUS
In 2025, there are reports that President Donald Trump plans to issue a new travel ban in his second administration. Return to this page in the future for the latest news and opportunities for action.

HISTORY
The Trump administration’s first travel ban was issued in Janaury 2017, and it included a suspension of visas for immigrants and non-immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries and a suspension of the refugee resettlement program, with a narrow exception in the future for those who face religious persecution and are considered a religious minority in that country. BJC Executive Director Amanda Tyler said the policy was a ‘back-door bar’ on Muslim refugees and it sends the un-American message that there are second-class faiths.

After re-releasing the ban twice with new language, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the third iteration of the Trump administration’s “travel ban” on June 26, 2018. The 5-4 decision in Trump v. Hawaii said the order is within the power delegated to the president by Congress.

“We are deeply disappointed by the Supreme Court’s refusal to repudiate policy rooted in animus against Muslims,” said Tyler after that 2018 ruling on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court. “In giving such broad deference to President Trump, the Court neglects its duty to uphold our First Amendment principles of religious liberty. Safeguarding religious liberty requires the government to remain neutral with regard to religion, neither favoring one religion over another nor preferring religion or irreligion.”

The Trump administration added six more countries in a 2020 edition of the travel ban.

President Joe Biden repealed the Muslim and African travel ban on January 20, 2021 – his first day in office. BJC Executive Director Amanda Tyler called it a “victory for faith freedom” in a statement released that day. “Repealing the ban is an important step, but it does not undo the damage this policy has done to religious freedom,” she said. “If we want to truly preserve faith freedom for all, we as Americans must loudly and clearly denounce religious bigotry in all its forms – now and in the future.”

President Trump never repudiated his hostile statements or tweets directed at Muslims or the subject of Muslim immigration.