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Trump’s Travel Ban and How Funders Can Respond Today

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By Rana Elmir, Director, RISE Together Fund

Dear Friends and Partners,

It’s happening. Yesterday, the Trump administration issued a new travel ban—modeled after the Muslim and African bans of his first term—that targets nationals from nearly 20 countries, many of which are Muslim-majority, African, or Caribbean.

This ban revives a dangerous playbook that we discussed in a recent Nonprofit Quarterly essay. Families will be separated, communities will face heightened fear and uncertainty, and the infrastructure of exclusion will deepen. But we’ve fought this before—and our communities are already leading the response.

Though this ban avoids explicit religious language, it disproportionately affects Muslim-majority and African nations—reviving a framework rooted in exclusion, fear, and collective punishment. 

In this email, you will find 1) resources to directly support frontline organizations, 2) messaging support, and 3) background information about the ban from our friends at CAIR-SFBA.

Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like to talk through ways to support Black, African, Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim and South Asian (BAMEMSA) communities during this intense time.

CALL TO ACTION: HOW YOU CAN HELP 

  1. Join Today’s Emergency Call

We urge you to join a national call hosted by No Muslim Ban Ever Coalition, a formation of BAMEMSA-led organizations responding on the ground:


Thursday, June 5 at 4:00pm ET / 1:00pm PT

You’ll hear directly from leaders at MPower Change, Muslim Advocates, CAIR-SFBA, NILC, and Asian Law Caucus on what this ban means and how we can organize in response.

  1. Help Mobilize Resources:

This is a moment for rapid, flexible, and sustained support. Our grantees are activating legal hotlines, coordinating national strategy, and preparing for long-term resistance. Philanthropy cannot wait.

  • Fund frontline BAMEMSA-led organizations mobilizing right now
  • Make a rapid grant through RTF – we are coordinating funding across the ecosystem
  • Share this message with your networks
  • If you are able, we urge you to move funds this week – directly or through RTF – to support frontline response efforts already underway. 

RTF has long supported BAMEMSA communities through crisis response and movement building. We are mobilizing resources now to ensure these organizations can respond with the strength, safety, and strategy this moment requires.

Below is a partial list of BAMEMSA-led organizations mobilizing legal support, advocacy, communications, and coordinated resistance. We encourage you to support them directly or reach out to us for connections.

  • Narrative & Communications:
    • ReThink Media is working with BAMEMSA field organizations to provide messaging, strategic communications, and real-time technical support.
    • Pillars Fund is building narrative and culture power through its fellowships and grantmaking.
  1. Speak With One Voice: 

For those preparing public statements or communicating with donor partners, grantees and media, RTF grantee ReThink Media has prepared this messaging resource:

Community Framing & Talking Points: Trump Travel Ban 2025 – ReThink Media
This living document offers strategic guidance, messaging dos and don’ts, and values-based talking points for funders and field leaders alike.

BACKGROUND ON THE BAN: 

What the Ban Does
(Adapted from CAIR-SFBA resources)

  • Fully restricts entry from 12 countries: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen
  • Partially restricts entry from 7 others: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela
  • Applies only to individuals outside the U.S. as of June 9 who do not already hold a valid visa

What It Does Not Do (According to the Presidential Proclamation)

  • It does not apply to green card holders
  • It does not apply to dual nationals traveling on a non-banned passport
  • It includes limited humanitarian and diplomatic exceptions
  • Notably, this proclamation includes exceptions from the outset—a departure from the chaos of prior bans—but its harm remains severe and far-reaching.

What Our Grantees in the Legal Community Are Advising

Our legal partners are actively advising community members and allies on how to stay safe, avoid unnecessary travel, and prepare documentation where possible:

  • If you are inside the U.S. and do not have permanent legal status: Do not travel internationally unless absolutely necessary
  • If you are abroad and have a valid U.S. visa: Return before the ban takes effect on June 9. Carry documentation of U.S. ties—such as school enrollment, employment, or housing
  • If you are undocumented or unsure of your status: Seek legal counsel and know-your-rights resources immediately

We are grateful to the many BAMEMSA-led legal and advocacy organizations mobilizing in real time to meet community needs and track implementation.

We’ll continue to share updates, including takeaways from today’s call and emerging community needs. Thank you for standing in solidarity with BAMEMSA communities—and for helping to ensure this response is met with the urgency and care it deserves.

In solidarity,

Rana Elmir
Director, RISE Together Fund

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