Myanmar Community Association Criticizes New U.S. Travel Ban as ‘Cruel’
U.S. travel ban on 12 countries sparks concerns of increased hardship and family separation within Canadian immigrant communities.
The recent announcement of a sweeping travel ban by U.S. President Donald Trump has sent waves of anxiety through several immigrant communities in Canada, with leaders calling the move “cruel” and warning of intensified hardship for already-vulnerable populations. The new policy, effective Monday, will prevent citizens from 12 countries—including Myanmar, Afghanistan, Eritrea, and Sudan—from entering the United States, whether for study, work, or family visits.
Napas Thein, president of the Burma Canadian Association of Ontario, described the timing of the policy as particularly harsh for people from Myanmar, who are reeling from a military coup and a newly imposed law mandating military service. According to Thein, “People are already struggling to find safety, and now many doors are closing to them.” He noted that members of the Myanmar-Canadian community, including students and professionals, have already begun canceling plans to attend conferences and visit relatives after learning of the restrictions.
For many, the travel ban is more than just a bureaucratic barrier; it represents a deepening of the uncertainty and disruption experienced by refugees and immigrants with strong familial and professional ties across borders. “We feel uneasy even about trying to cross into the U.S.,” Thein explained, adding that some are afraid of being turned away at the border due to their country of origin, regardless of their Canadian citizenship.
Dawit Demoz, vice-president of the Eritrean Canadian Community Centre in Toronto, echoed these concerns, stating his community was “deeply concerned” about the policy’s ramifications. He pointed out that thousands of Eritrean families remain separated due to ongoing political and humanitarian crises in their home country, and that the new ban will make reuniting even more difficult. “This creates additional fear and uncertainty for those seeking safety and connection across borders,” Demoz said.
Community leaders highlight that these bans not only impact travel but exacerbate feelings of isolation, delay family reunification, and increase the emotional strain on those forced to live apart. Many fear that such measures, reminiscent of similar bans enacted during Trump’s first term, threaten to deepen divides and limit opportunities for education, cultural exchange, and personal growth.
In addition to the outright ban on travelers from 12 nations, the new measures further introduce heightened restrictions for seven other countries, including Cuba, Laos, Venezuela, and Turkmenistan, among others. As communities across Canada grapple with the implications, advocacy groups are urging policymakers to prioritize compassion and understanding in immigration decisions that affect the lives of thousands.
