Jewish Organizations Call for Reversal of Expanded Travel Ban
A coalition of eight Jewish organizations sent a letter this morning to President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing alarm over the Trump administration's expanded Travel Ban. The letter sharply criticizes the decision to target Palestinians, noting that the Travel Ban further weakens the Palestinian Authority in a manner that will make stabilizing Gaza more difficult. The full text of the letter follows.
President Donald J. Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
The Honorable Marco Rubio
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20520
December 23, 2025
Dear President Trump and Secretary Rubio,
We write as Jewish organizations deeply alarmed by the December 16, 2025 proclamation extending and expanding restrictions on entry to the United States for nationals of dozens of countries and for individuals traveling on Palestinian Authority issued or endorsed documents. We urge your administration to rescind this proclamation and to abandon policies that impose sweeping exclusions in the name of security.
This proclamation dramatically expands existing entry bans, fully or partially suspending immigrant and nonimmigrant travel from more than 30 countries and sharply narrowing family-based exceptions. Rather than relying on individualized, evidence-based determinations, it treats entire populations as presumptive risks based on generalized conditions such as governance challenges, documentation practices, or visa overstay rates.
The decision to fully bar entry for individuals traveling on Palestinian Authority–issued documents is particularly troubling. This measure does not target specific individuals who pose a credible threat; instead, it forecloses access for students, medical patients, civil society actors, and family members based solely on the documents available to them. At a moment of profound humanitarian need and regional instability, this policy further restricts already limited avenues for lawful travel and engagement, compounding harm to civilians while doing nothing to advance security.
Your administration has publicly asserted an interest in stabilizing the Gaza ceasefire and preventing a return to widespread violence, yet this policy moves in the opposite direction. By further restricting Palestinian travel and engagement, the proclamation weakens and delegitimizes the Palestinian Authority at a moment when its credibility, capacity, and international support are essential. If the United States seeks to prevent renewed conflict and support a viable post-war political horizon, it cannot simultaneously pursue policies that erode the very institutions necessary for that outcome.
As Jewish organizations, we are guided by our history and values in opposing policies that close doors indiscriminately and punish people for circumstances beyond their control. Jewish experience teaches us the dangers of fear-driven policymaking and the lasting harm caused when governments abandon individualized judgment in favor of collective exclusion. We believe the United States can protect its people without sacrificing its commitment to human dignity, equal treatment, and the rule of law.
We urge your administration to reverse this proclamation and to pursue immigration and security policies that are targeted, evidence-based, and consistent with democratic values.
Sincerely,
New Jewish Narrative
Bend the Arc: Jewish Action
J Street
National Council of Jewish Women
New York Jewish Agenda (NYJA)
Partners for Progressive Israel
T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights
The Workers Circle
