Chicago O'Hare airport travelers criticize President Donald Trump's US 12-country travel ban
Share and Follow

CHICAGO (WLS) — People in Chicago are reacting to President Donald Trump’s new travel ban affecting 12 countries.

There are restrictions on other countries, too.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

President Trump has said this is about safety.

The ban took effect overnight, and is already causing confusion and issues for some people.

The countries listed on the ban have populations that are predominantly people of color.

Some at O’Hare Monday morning have families abroad. They said they’d be devastated if they could not see their loved ones.

“My wife or my kids is here. I’m from Eritrea. I came from Eritrea. If they’re telling me to ban me, that’s not really fair,” Mesfil Wrdofa said.

Wrdofa is from Ethiopia, but says he understands how those from Eritrea may be feeling. Eritrea is one of the 12 countries that are now banned from entering the United States.

“It’s kind of prejudice to me. That’s what I can say,” Wrdofa said.

The travel ban is felt by anyone who knows what it’s like to have loved ones overseas.

“I wouldn’t want my family to be stuck,” said Calvin Jackson, who has family in Liberia. “I think generalization is always not a good thing.”

While Jackson’s family isn’t from one of the countries that is listed on President Trump’s travel ban, he says America sets a precedent for the world.

“If they perceive that America is not doing the right thing, I think they, themselves, they are not going to do the right thing, and then we are just going to be in a chaotic world without good leadership,” Jackson said.

The ban announced Wednesday applies to people from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. It’s also putting on restrictions for people in places like Cuba and Venezuela, who are outside the United States and don’t hold a visa.

President Trump has claimed this is to protect the national security and national interest of the country, but others say the move goes too far.

“If there’s a genuine national security reason, I think it should be explicit, instead of just doing it and just be ambiguous and saying it’s for national security reasons,” Jackson said.

The ban will not only impact people coming from those countries, but adoptions, as well, as many international travelers are pleading for the government to take it back.

“I’m just appealing to them to reaching the decision because I don’t think it’s a good thing,” Jackson said.

Several refugee organizations are already preparing to push back on the ban with legal action.

Copyright Âİ 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
3 Wright-Patterson Air Force Base personnel found dead in Ohio

Tragic Discovery: Three Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Personnel Found Dead in Ohio

Ohio authorities are currently investigating the deaths of three employees from Wright-Patterson…
'Dancing with the Stars' week 7: Halloween night scares up shocking injury and another emotional elimination

Shocking Injury and Emotional Farewell Mark Dramatic Halloween Night on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Week 7

LOS ANGELES — The “Dancing with the Stars” ballroom transformed into a…
Which Jets could be on the move before 2025 NFL trade deadline?

Jets Players Who Might Be Traded Before the 2025 NFL Deadline

The trade deadline is set for Tuesday at 4 p.m., and all…
FILE - Masih Alinejad blows a kiss to supporters outside the federal courthouse after testifying at the trial of her would-be assassins in New York, March 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

Two Men Await Sentencing for Conspiracy to Assassinate Iranian American Journalist

NEW YORK (AP) — Prosecutors revealed that a scheme to kill Iranian…
Family donates $1.8M to cover med school students' final semester tuition

Generous Family Endows $1.8 Million to Fund Final Semester Tuition for Medical Students

Medical students in the Class of 2026 at Texas Christian University’s Anne…
Woman dies after oncoming car hits deer, sends it flying through windshield

Tragic Accident: Deer Thrown Through Windshield Claims Woman’s Life

PARAGON, Ind. (WXIN) — Tragedy struck in Indiana on Saturday when a…
Tragic 911 call in chess star Daniel Naroditsky's mysterious death

Mysterious Circumstances Surround Chess Prodigy Daniel Naroditsky’s Passing After Disturbing 911 Call

The distressing 911 call capturing the frantic pleas of two friends who…
Ex-Army sergeant sentenced for trying to give state secrets to China after mental health spiral

Ex-Army Sergeant’s Downward Spiral: Attempted Espionage with China Ends in Sentencing

Gordon Chang: US is in a ‘new Cold War’ with China Fox…