Trump immigration bans disproportionately affect climate-vulnerable nations
Analysis shows that 22 of the 39 countries subject to U.S. entry restrictions under the Trump administration rank among the world’s most climate-vulnerable, raising concerns about the impact on climate-displaced migrants.
A review of U.S. immigration restrictions reveals that a majority of the 39 countries facing full or partial bans are among the most vulnerable to climate-related disasters, according to data from the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative. Twenty-two of these nations fall in the top quartile of climate risk worldwide.
"Nearly all of the most vulnerable countries are on a ban or visa pause," said Danielle Wood, an associate professor at Notre Dame. The analysis notes that Chad and Niger, ranked as the two most climate-vulnerable countries, are fully barred, along with Sudan, Somalia and Sierra Leone, which also rank among the ten most exposed nations.
The United States has also moved to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for residents from Honduras and 12 other countries, many of which are identified as highly climate-vulnerable. The Supreme Court is reviewing appeals concerning TPS revocations for Syria and Haiti, both of which have experienced severe droughts and hurricanes.
Experts highlight the growing number of people displaced by climate events, estimating that 250 million individuals have been forced to move globally over the past decade. However, U.S. law and the 1951 refugee convention do not recognize environmental disasters as grounds for asylum.
"People are being displaced by climate change, the number is growing every year and, increasingly, the displacements are permanent," said Jocelyn Perry, program manager at Refugees International.
Advocates argue that climate-driven displacement often intersects with conflict and poverty, complicating asylum claims that must be based on persecution. Legislative proposals such as the Climate Displaced Persons Act have been introduced to create a legal pathway for climate migrants, but prospects for passage appear limited under the current administration.
The analysis underscores a disconnect between U.S. immigration policy and the escalating climate displacement crisis, prompting calls for both humanitarian protection and increased adaptation funding to reduce forced migration.
