DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — In Dearborn,
prohibition on travel from specific nations
which came into force on Monday — similar to President Donald Trump’s first-term limitations that were widely referred to as the “
Muslim ban
— is once again straining relations among Arab American voters in the crucial swing state of Michigan, a demographic that Trump tried to appeal to during the 2024 election.
Many Yemeni Americans living in the Dearborn region were particularly stunned when they discovered that their nation had been included in Trump’s updated list, which imposed restrictions on travelers from 12 distinct countries, largely located in Africa and the Middle East.
“Is this the recognition for the community that stood up against everyone else?” questioned Wali Altahif, a local activist advocating for Yemeni and other immigrant groups. “And then saying, ‘No, we will support you; we will vote for you’?”
The new proclamation, which Trump
signed last week
This applies to citizens of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. It might not evoke the same response.
protests
As of 2017, numerous Yemeni and Arab Americans in the crucial swing state view this issue as an additional affront compounding significant grievances.
discontent towards both principal political factions
in the U.S.
According to the Trump administration, the purpose of this new ban is to “shield its citizens from immigrants with intentions to carry out terrorist acts, jeopardize national security, promote hatred and extremism, or misuse immigration policies for harmful ends.”
Altahif characterized it as “targeted discrimination” and “group punishment.”
Michigan hosts one of the biggest concentrations of Arab Americans in the U.S., primarily located within the Detroit metropolitan region. The state served as a focal point for this community.
anger
At President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for the administration’s backing of Israel’s operation in Gaza, leading to an escalation.
humanitarian crisis
And triggered a significant move away from the Democratic Party.
Given Trump’s past policies and statements, such as the limitations on entry from certain countries,
seven predominantly Muslim countries
During his initial tenure, the fresh constraints along with the growing resentment towards the impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on Gaza have made numerous Arab Americans feel that neither of the prominent political parties has managed to meet their needs.
A significant shift in Dearborn
In the November election, Trump assumed the presidency.
first Republican presidential candidate
To secure victory inDearborn, which is America’s biggest city with an Arab majority population, since the year 2000 has been unachievable for them. Compared to Joe Biden’s success in the previous presidential race in 2020, Kamala Harris saw a decrease of about 15,000 votes from Democrats. This decline occurred partly because Donald Trump made campaign stops in the region just prior to the elections, including rallying at a neighborhood café where he pledged to foster peace in the Middle East.
The change was subtle yet significant. Trump received an additional 3,000 votes within the city, while third-party candidates garnered 20% of the total votes. A considerable number abstained from voting for any candidate. This marked Trump’s second victory out of three tries in securing both Michigan and the presidency.
In Dearborn, almost fifty percent of its approximately 110,000 inhabitants have Arab ancestry, with the predominant nationalities being Arabs from various countries.
Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq
.
A number of Yemeni Americans in the Detroit metropolitan region cast their votes for Trump in the 2024 election afterward.
his vows for peace
, occurred during a period marked by extensive conflict and instability in the Middle East, Altahif stated. In Yemen, this was particularly evident.
near decade-long civil war
has driven its population to the edge
famine
.
During Trump’s initial months in office, the U.S. conducted a two-month-long bombing campaign against Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen.
concluded with a truce deal in May
.
Each and every Yemeni-descended family has been impacted by the conflict in Yemen,” Altahif stated. “We had hope because of Trump’s pledge to bring an end to the war.
Rasheed Alnozili, who publishes the Yemeni American News—a news service available both online and in print from Dearborn—stated that the travel ban would merely stigmatize Yemeni and Arab communities within the U.S., exacerbate Islamophobia, rather than effectively combat terrorism.
“He mentioned that they are part of society and are bringing up their children,” referring to Yemeni communities.
There are
exceptions
The restrictions affect individuals such as permanent residents and those with close ties to the U.S., including relatives applying through fiancé(e), child, or parent petitions. Altahif anticipates that these limitations will significantly complicate efforts of distant-separated families seeking reunion. He mentioned that obtaining approval for his wife’s visa from Yemen required an arduous process spanning half a decade prior to her relocation to the U.S. in 2024.
Widespread unease
A lot of people within the community hesitate to discuss the recent travel limitations publicly out of concern for potential repercussions, despite being either U.S. citizens or green card holders. Some individuals are also hesitant to exit the nation.
fear
Of facing delays due to border agents upon returning home, which is an issue Arab and Muslim Americans have reported experiencing at airports.
Amir Makled, a civil rights lawyer based in Dearborn, mentioned that these limitations have had a similarly stifling effect on Muslim travelers akin to what was seen with the 2017 policy. He has fielded numerous inquiries from individuals concerned about potential detention upon their return to the U.S., regardless of whether they hold citizenship or legal residency status. A person of Yemeni origin eventually decided against making the trip altogether.
Hajj pilgrimage
To Mecca, a cornerstone of Islamic belief, Makled stated.
“He mentioned that people generally prefer not to travel, even when they possess the legal permission to do so,” he stated.
Both of the main political parties will need to
reach out to the Arab and Muslim populations
In the Detroit region during significant impending elections in 2026, with vacancies opening up for both the gubernatorial position and a U.S. Senate seat, just a handful of thousands of votes might sway control in Lansing as well as in Congress.
“Where these voters end up landing will, I believe, have an impact on who ultimately secures those positions,” stated Peter Trumbore, chairman of the Department of Political Science at Oakland University.
According to Altahif, the conflict in Gaza caused many Yemeni Americans to distance themselves from the Democratic Party, and Trump has failed to deliver on his promises.
pledge to swiftly conclude the conflict between Israel and Hamas
This has led to the deaths of over
55,000 Palestinians
Altahif pointed out that several Democratic lawmakers have publicly spoken against the travel ban; however, he hasn’t observed any Republican counterparts taking similar stands.
Osama Siblani, the publisher of the Dearborn-based Arab American News, mentioned that candidates from both major political parties who are vying for positions like governor and U.S. senator have recently had meetings with him as the 2026 midterm elections approach. Additionally, he has met with Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, a long-standing Democrat who is now campaigning as an independent.
running independently for the position of governor
.
Siblani denounced the travel ban as a “racially motivated” executive measure that fails to assist those suffering in conflict-ravaged countries like Yemen and Sudan, which include numerous relatives of Metro Detroit residents. However, their disillusionment with both major political parties might push them towards seeking an alternative choice outside the traditional two-party system.
“I can observe that there is a desire within our community or a requirement among our communities to support an independent candidate,” Siblani stated.
___
Mike Housholder, an Associated Press video journalist, contributed to this report.
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