Dearborn, Michigan – a city where nearly every second person has Arab roots. As recently as November 2024, it was seen as a symbol of cautious rapprochement: Donald Trump, campaigning in a local café, promised peace in the Middle East and, in return, received a surprising number of votes from the Arab American community. For the first time since 2000, a Republican won this city.
But just half a year later, little remains of that hope. The reason: a new travel ban, signed by Trump in early June. It affects citizens from twelve countries – including Iran, Sudan, Somalia, and most notably, Yemen. For many in Dearborn, especially Yemeni Americans, this decision feels like a betrayal.
"This is the reward for a community that supported him?" asks activist Wali Altahif. Many of his fellow Yemenis voted for Trump in the hope of an end to the war in Yemen. Today, they are once again experiencing exclusion – from a president they once trusted. Rasheed Alnozili, publisher of the Yemeni American News, also warns of the consequences: the ban stigmatizes Muslims and fuels Islamophobia. It affects families who have been waiting years for visas. Altahif recalls that it took five years for his wife to receive approval to enter the U.S. from Yemen. Now, he fears, something like that may no longer be possible.
The fear goes further: many with U.S. citizenship or green cards are considering whether they should travel abroad at all – fearing harassment upon return. Civil rights attorney Amir Makled describes an atmosphere that strongly resembles the infamous Muslim Ban from Trump’s first term. Even pilgrimages to Mecca are being canceled – out of fear. But Trump is not the only one facing criticism. The Biden administration’s support for Israel’s offensive in Gaza has disappointed many Arab Americans. The result: a deep alienation from both major parties. Some are already speaking of a third option. Osama Siblani, publisher of the Arab American News, says this is not a fringe sentiment: "There is a growing desire in our community to vote independently."
What is happening in Michigan could determine the political future of the country. In 2026, elections for governor and the Senate will take place. A few thousand votes could be enough to shift the balance of power in Washington. But many in Dearborn are now asking: Who is still listening to us? And when will American citizenship finally mean full political belonging?
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