This is not the update we were hoping to write during the last ten nights of Ramadan. But it’s one we know is necessary.
Many of you are worried—and rightfully so. People are getting picked up off the street. Families are being separated at the airport. Students are disappearing from campuses. The Trump Administration’s latest actions are a chilling reminder of what we’ve faced before—and what we must prepare for again.
This week, CAIR National released updated guidance on travel and free speech rights under this administration. Whether you’re a U.S. citizen, green card holder, or here on a visa, you need to read this—and share it with everyone you know.
Here are some of the key takeaways:
- Non-citizens should avoid unnecessary international travel right now. We’re seeing increased detentions, secondary screenings, and visa denials—especially for Muslims and those speaking out for Palestine.
- Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) should not sign anything they don’t understand. You have a right to a hearing. You can be detained, but only a judge can take away your status.
- Student visa holders are facing growing scrutiny, especially on campus. ICE is physically showing up to schools. If you’re a non-citizen, this may be a time to let your citizen peers take the lead in public activism.
- U.S. citizens still have the right to protest—but we must be strategic. Free speech is under attack, and how we respond now will shape the rights our children inherit.
- All travelers, regardless of status, should take precautions to protect their devices, share travel plans with someone they trust, and prepare for delays, searches, and interrogation.
We don’t say any of this to scare you. We say it because we want you to be ready. Because we want you to come home safely. Because we want you to be able to keep fighting for justice.
At CAIR-SFBA, we are here to support you—through our legal services, our policy advocacy, and our public education work. But we need your help, too. Share this guidance. Check on your neighbors. And if you can, support our work with a donation.
This is one of those moments we’ll look back on and say—we showed up for each other. Or we didn’t.
Let’s make sure we do.
