Christians Condemn Travel Ban As Unjust And Unholy
Several Christian humanitarian organizations have spoken out against President Donald Trump’s recent travel restrictions affecting individuals from 19 nations with links to terrorism concerns. The directive, signed last week, imposes travel limitations on citizens from countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, among others. Additionally, visa issuance has been partially limited for travelers from countries including Cuba, Laos, Venezuela, and Turkmenistan.
Myal Greene, head of World Relief—a refugee aid agency affiliated with the National Association of Evangelicals—criticized the policy, describing it as another blow to lawful immigration systems. Greene noted that while gaining visas from many of these countries was already a challenge, this sweeping measure further hampers even those who meet rigorous vetting requirements. He urged the administration to adopt security-focused strategies without categorically excluding entire national populations.
World Relief acknowledged that the order does offer exceptions for certain groups, such as Afghan allies with Special Immigrant Visas, lawful permanent residents, and immediate relatives of U.S. citizens. Nonetheless, the organization maintained that the broader restrictions were harmful and overly broad.
Church World Service, another faith-based refugee resettlement group, echoed these concerns. Chief Operating Officer Katherine Rehberg argued that the policy resembled Trump’s earlier travel ban and undermined America’s legacy of welcoming those fleeing hardship. She emphasized that such measures diminish cultural diversity, economic strength, and the country’s moral standing as a refuge for the persecuted.
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) also voiced opposition. The Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, who leads the denomination’s advocacy office, condemned the policy as discriminatory and inconsistent with Christian values of solidarity and compassion. He reaffirmed the denomination’s long-standing commitment to supporting people of all faiths and backgrounds, regardless of nationality.
In defense of the restrictions, President Trump stated the move was necessary to guard against threats from individuals with extremist intentions. He stressed the importance of safeguarding national values and public safety, while also expressing a willingness to work with countries seeking to improve their security protocols and information-sharing processes. However, he made it clear that conditional limitations would remain in place for countries deemed non-compliant.