US travel ban has sparked fresh concerns after an American travel content creator said the policy has trapped families in painful and unexpected legal uncertainty.
The US travel ban followed a new Proclamation signed by President Donald Trump, expanding entry restrictions to more countries, including Nigeria.
American citizen raises alarm over policy
Chris Joondeph, a United States citizen married to a Nigerian woman, shared his concerns in an Instagram post on Wednesday.
Joondeph said the US travel ban has left him and his wife stuck in a situation with no clear legal solution.
He explained that the Proclamation was signed by President Trump on Tuesday and immediately affected families like his.
Nigeria added to restricted countries
President Trump signed the Proclamation restricting entry for nationals from countries described as high-risk to U.S. security and public safety.
The US travel ban added 15 more countries under partial restrictions, with Nigeria included among them.
Authorities said the countries listed have persistent deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information sharing.
Wife now has “no path” to enter US
In a video shared online, Joondeph said his wife, Adenike, currently has “no path” to enter the United States.
He said they have been waiting for her visa interview since May 2024, forcing them to live apart.
“It is now extremely unlikely that my wife will be able to visit the United States anytime soon,” Joondeph said.
“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
Joondeph said the US travel ban has deepened emotional strain for families already separated by lengthy visa processes.
He noted that his wife has never visited the United States or met most of his relatives.
“We have known each other for five years, and my wife has never been able to come to the United States,” he said.
“My wife has never met the majority of my relatives.”
“She has never set foot in my home country of the United States.”
Immigrant visas now affected
According to Joondeph, the US travel ban goes further than earlier restrictions.
He said previous bans mainly affected non-immigrant visas like tourist, student, and business visas.
“As of the presidential proclamation yesterday, the U.S. will no longer issue immigrant visas to Nigerian spouses,” he said.
“Previously, people petitioning for their spouses or children were exempt. This is no longer the case.”
White House defends decision
Reports state that the Proclamation maintains full restrictions on 12 previously listed high-risk countries.
It also adds full restrictions on five additional countries and partial restrictions on 15 more, including Nigeria.
The fact sheet notes exceptions for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, diplomats, athletes, and cases serving U.S. national interests.
It adds that family-based immigrant visa carve-outs with “demonstrated fraud risks” have been narrowed. Case-by-case waivers are still possible.
The White House said the US travel ban is needed to protect national security and enforce immigration laws.
Watch the video here…
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
— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) December 18, 2025