PAAIA Statement on President Trump’s Reinstated Travel Ban
Washington, D.C. – The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) opposes President Trump’s reinstated Travel Ban. Enacted through Executive Order, this Presidential Proclamation revives the 2017 visa restrictions that denied immigrant and non-immigrant visas for nationals from several countries including Iran. This renewed policy casts a shadow over the Iranian American community and undermines the United States’ solidarity with the Iranian people.
While the Proclamation includes narrow exemptions—such as for certain, limited family immigrant visa applicants, adoptions, and persecuted religious and ethnic minorities—it broadly bars most other Iranian nationals from entering the U.S. This includes students and relatives of U.S. citizens wishing to visit family members.
Notably, the Trump Administration’s previous Ban provided an exemption for students. Iranian students are among the most pro-American segment of Middle Eastern society. PAAIA has advocated with the Executive and Congressional leaders to exempt students again.
Eight years ago, the first Travel Ban caused significant hardship for Iranian American families, with fewer than 5 percent of waiver requests approved despite overwhelming humanitarian and familial circumstances. PAAIA, alongside our coalition partners, the Pars Equality Center and the Iranian American Bar Association (IABA), opposed the Ban, filing lawsuits, submitting an amicus brief to the Supreme Court, and working with lawmakers to expose the discriminatory nature of the waiver provisions.
Previously, banned grandmothers and mothers were kept from seeing their children and grandchildren not because of any wrongdoing, but simply due to their nationality. Births, graduations, weddings, bat mitzvahs, first communions, and the kisses and hugs that come with the joy of daily life among family were missed. That was—and once again is—the painful reality of this policy. The Ban targets innocent individuals and contradicts the American ideals of fairness, justice, and equal treatment.
Many Iranian Americans supported President Trump in the 2024 election, drawn by his firm stance against the Islamic Republic and his commitment to supporting the democratic aspirations of the Iranian people. Also, the Iranian people are among the strongest allies of the U.S. in the Middle East. Public opinion surveys consistently show that many, especially younger generations, are disillusioned with the regime and favor democracy. This renewed Ban contradicts the President’s promise to support the people of Iran: it penalizes them, reinforcing the narrative that the U.S. is hostile to the people. Instead, the U.S. should recognize that the Iranian people are often sympathetic to American values and support democratic change, reinforcing ties between the U.S. and this vital population.
We urge the Administration to reverse course and instead focus on targeting Iranian regime officials and their family members. By targeting regime officials and their families, the U.S. can hold genuine threats accountable while supporting the Iranian people, demonstrating a commitment to democracy and human rights and sending a powerful message of solidarity to those who aspire to a freer, more open society.
PAAIA remains committed to advocating for smart, effective policies, such as the Temporary Family Visitation Act, that address Homeland Security concerns and visa overstays while allowing for legitimate travel to the United States. We will continue to work with our coalition partners to explore all possible legal strategies and ensure that the voices of the Iranian American community are heard.
For more information, please visit PAAIA’s Travel Ban Center. We will update the Center with relevant resources and information as they become available.
