Members of Georgia’s Africa legislative caucus are calling on U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to stop the Trump administration’s plan to ban visitors from African and Caribbean countries in the latest round of travel ban attempts.
“Extending a travel ban in this context would be a grave mistake,” said Democratic State Rep. El-Mahdi Holly, “alienating investment, diminishing returns and limiting America’s ability to engage in meaningful business interactions which are essential to our country’s economic growth.”
Lawmakers outlined three main concerns with the proposed 36-country ban.
They’re concerned the travel ban would separate Georgia families, as Atlanta holds the fourth largest Black immigrant population, including African immigrants, among metropolitan areas in the country.
They’re also worried the travel ban would ding trade relationships between the state and growing businesses in Africa, as U.S. total goods traded with African countries in 2024 were valued at more than $71 billion.
