(NEW HAVEN, CT, 6/5/2025) – The Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CT) today joined CAIR National in strongly condemning President Trump’s newly expanded travel ban, which targets 19 predominantly Muslim and African countries and imposes vague ideological screening on immigrants.
While the ban includes exemptions for lawful permanent residents and immediate family members, CAIR-CT believes the policy continues a pattern of discriminatory targeting that undermines both constitutional freedoms and America’s reputation as a beacon of liberty and opportunity.
CAIR-CT Chairman Farhan Memon said: “This travel ban is not about national security — it’s about fear-mongering and political theater. The policy once again singles out Muslim-majority and African nations, cloaked in the language of safety but rooted in bigotry. It risks separating families, punishing students, and intimidating political activists whose only offense is exercising free speech or seeking a better life in the United States. Connecticut’s Muslim community knows firsthand the pain and confusion these policies inflict, and we will continue to stand up for the rights of all those unjustly targeted.”
President Trump’s order, signed June 4, suspends most immigrant and non-immigrant visas for citizens of 12 nations including Afghanistan, Iran, Somalia, and Sudan. It also imposes partial restrictions on others, and references his prior travel bans — several of which were struck down in court — as a foundation for this renewed effort.
Connecticut’s Muslim population is richly diverse, including families and individuals from countries directly targeted by this policy—such as Somalia, Sudan, Iran, and Afghanistan. Many are students, healthcare professionals, engineers, and small business owners who contribute daily to the economic and social fabric of our state. This ban threatens to isolate them from loved ones, disrupt academic and professional aspirations, and deepen a climate of fear and exclusion. At a time when Connecticut has worked to build a more inclusive society, this federal policy is a direct affront to those values and risks sowing division in communities that are otherwise thriving in unity.
CAIR-CT urges all impacted individuals in Connecticut to take the following steps:
Consult an immigration attorney to understand how this proclamation may affect your legal status.
Avoid non-essential international travel if you are a citizen of a listed country, even if you currently have valid status in the U.S.
Secure and store all legal documents including passports, visas, green cards, and work authorizations.
Educate yourself about your rights by reviewing CAIR’s “Know Your Rights” resources.
Report any incidents of discrimination or abuse to CAIR-CT’s Civil Rights Department at https://cair-ct.com/report-an-incident/CAIR-CT calls on elected officials and civic leaders across Connecticut to speak out against the policy and support legislation that restores dignity and fairness to the immigration system.
CONTACT: Farhan Memon, CAIR Connecticut 203-517-6526 or fmemon@cair.com
CAIR Connecticut | www.cairconnecticut.com