No to Menendez Travel Ban

First Donald Trump's Iran envoy (and likely war criminal) Elliot Abrams recently called for the U.S. to ban travel to Iran, now Sen. Bob Menendez says he is considering legislation to do exactly that. This is unacceptable and must be stopped.

Nobody knows the risks of traveling to Iran better than Iranian Americans. The Iranian government's detentions of Iranian Americans as political pawns has been abhorrent and terrifying, as is its broader repression of the people of Iran. But we know that most Iranian Americans have family in Iran, and that, for many Iranians, travel outside the country is not feasible thanks in part to crushing economic sanctions. 

We have fought and defeated travel bans preventing Iranians from visiting the U.S., now we must fight and defeat a proposed travel ban preventing Americans from visiting Iran.

Seeing our loved ones isn't a crime, and no government, whether Iranian or American, should prevent us from doing so.

Tell Senator Menendez: No to banning travel to Iran!
 

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Petition text: 

Dear Senator Menendez, 

I write with deep concern regarding your suggestion that there needs to be legislation to ban Americans from traveling to Iran. Former Trump administration Envoy for Iran Elliott Abrams, who once implemented Donald Trump's Muslim ban that you opposed, was the first to issue this unconscionable call.

I'm in strong opposition to this proposal, which would have a profound impact on the Iranian-American community. Nobody knows the risks of traveling to Iran better than Iranian Americans. The Iranian government's detentions of Iranian Americans as political pawns has been abhorrent and terrifying, as is its broader repression of the people of Iran. But we know that most Iranian Americans have family in Iran and that many Iranians cannot secure a US visa or afford to travel abroad. This means that travel to Iran is a lifeline to stay connected with our families.

The Iranian diaspora maintains close ties to people on the ground in Iran. It is these ties that would risk being severed by an indiscriminate ban on travel. Moreover, when combined with the possible return of the Muslim ban - as has been threatened by current candidates for office - such a ban would effectively sever any possible connection between many U.S. citizens and their loved ones on the ground.

No government, whether Iranian or American, should threaten the Iranian-American community with jail time to prevent us from being able to see our loved ones. I urge you not to introduce such harmful legislation which would tear families apart.