The recent implementation of the US travel ban has reignited concerns among families and individuals with close ties to affected countries, particularly Nigeria. The policy has left many American citizens and their foreign spouses facing unprecedented legal uncertainty and emotional strain, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of the new restrictions. One such case involves Chris Joondeph, a United States citizen and travel content creator, who shared his personal ordeal with the travel ban on social media, emphasizing the painful reality for families like his.
The US travel ban followed a new Proclamation signed by President Donald Trump, which expanded entry restrictions to additional countries, including Nigeria. The updated policy has placed new limitations on both immigrant and non-immigrant visas, significantly affecting couples and families who have been navigating lengthy visa processes for years. Analysts and advocacy groups have raised alarms about the potential human impact of these expanded restrictions, noting that family separation and prolonged waiting periods are now more common than ever.
American citizen raises alarm over policy
Chris Joondeph, a US citizen married to a Nigerian woman named Adenike, shared his frustrations and concerns in an Instagram post on Wednesday. Joondeph explained that the US travel ban has left him and his wife trapped in a situation with no clear legal solution, preventing them from living together in the United States and forcing them to endure long periods of separation. The announcement of the Proclamation on Tuesday by President Trump has directly impacted families like theirs, creating confusion and distress for those awaiting visa approvals.
In his post, Joondeph detailed how the travel ban has disrupted their plans and highlighted the emotional toll that the separation has taken on both him and his wife. He noted that Adenike has never visited the United States or met most of his relatives, despite being married for over a year. Their relationship, built over five years, now faces an uncertain future due to the abrupt policy changes.
Nigeria added to restricted countries
Under the new Proclamation, President Trump restricted entry for nationals from countries deemed high-risk to U.S. security and public safety. Nigeria was included among fifteen additional countries now facing partial restrictions. Authorities justified the inclusion of these countries due to persistent deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information-sharing procedures, citing concerns over the potential risks posed to national security. The expansion of the ban has heightened anxiety among citizens and families affected by these policies, particularly those with spouses, children, or close relatives from newly restricted nations.
Wife now has “no path” to enter US
In a video shared online, Joondeph expressed the emotional strain caused by the travel ban, stating that his wife currently has “no path” to enter the United States. He explained that they have been waiting for her visa interview since May 2024, but the new Proclamation has effectively blocked her from obtaining the necessary documentation to travel. As a result, they have been forced to live apart for an extended period, a situation that has caused significant distress for both spouses.
Joondeph said, “It is now extremely unlikely that my wife will be able to visit the United States anytime soon. I’ve been married to my beautiful wife, Adenike, for the past year and a half. We have been waiting for her visa interview to come to the United States since May 2024. With the new presidential travel ban, she currently has no path to come to the United States. This means that, as it stands as of yesterday evening, as a US citizen, I cannot bring my spouse to the United States. Not even to visit.”
Family separation concerns grow
The travel ban has intensified the emotional strain on families already coping with lengthy visa processes. Joondeph highlighted the difficulties of being separated from his wife and the added challenge of her never having visited the United States or met most of his relatives. He emphasized that despite knowing each other for five years, Adenike has yet to set foot in his home country, underscoring the personal impact of the Proclamation and the challenges faced by families trying to unite across borders.
“We have known each other for five years, and my wife has never been able to come to the United States. My wife has never met the majority of my relatives. She has never set foot in my home country of the United States,” Joondeph explained, underscoring the human dimension of the policy’s impact and the challenges faced by couples separated by international travel restrictions.
Immigrant visas now affected
According to Joondeph, the new US travel ban goes beyond previous restrictions that primarily targeted non-immigrant visas such as tourist, student, and business visas. With the latest Proclamation, immigrant visas for Nigerian spouses are now directly affected, closing pathways that were previously available to those petitioning for family reunification. He noted that earlier exemptions allowed spouses and children to obtain visas, but these provisions have now been curtailed, leaving families with limited options and creating significant uncertainty for couples seeking to live together in the United States.
“As of the presidential proclamation yesterday, the U.S. will no longer issue immigrant visas to Nigerian spouses. Previously, people petitioning for their spouses or children were exempt. This is no longer the case,” Joondeph said, highlighting the immediate and personal consequences of the travel ban for his family.
White House defends decision
The White House has stated that the Proclamation maintains full restrictions on twelve previously listed high-risk countries, while adding full restrictions on five additional countries and partial restrictions on fifteen more, including Nigeria. The administration noted exceptions for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, diplomats, athletes, and other cases serving U.S. national interests. Family-based immigrant visa carve-outs with “demonstrated fraud risks” have been narrowed, though case-by-case waivers may still be granted under certain circumstances. Officials have defended the policy as necessary to protect national security and enforce immigration laws, despite the challenges it poses for families like Joondeph’s.
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𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎: 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐇𝐮𝐬𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐫 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐟𝐞
An American travel content creator, Chris Joondeph, has lamented the cost of the newly signed United States presidential travel ban,… pic.twitter.com/x792BZmJqV
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