Legal Framework

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights — Article 18

Guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, including the freedom to adopt and manifest religious beliefs. The internal dimension of this right is absolute; only the external manifestation may be subject to limited restrictions.

Related incidents

3 incidents

Expanded Travel Ban Targeting Up to 39 Countries, Predominantly Muslim and African Nations

A sweeping expansion of travel restrictions targeting predominantly Muslim-majority and African nations, growing from the original first-term ban to cover 39 countries. The bans affect millions of …

  • On June 4, 2025, Trump issued a proclamation restricting entry from 12 countries (Afghanistan, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, …
  • In December 2025, the ban was expanded to fully restrict entry from 7 additional countries: Burkina Faso, Laos, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, …

Coercion of Universities: Funding Freezes, Research Cuts, and Demands for Political Compliance

Billions in funding frozen or canceled to coerce universities into political compliance, with demands for protest suppression, admissions reform, and 'academic receivership' of specific departments. …

  • On March 7, 2025, the administration canceled $400 million in Columbia grants and contracts, then terminated $250+ million in NIH grants …
  • On April 14, 2025, the administration froze $2.2 billion in federal funding to Harvard after the university refused demands to adopt …

Rescission of ICE Sensitive Locations Policy — Churches, Schools, and Hospitals Open to Raids

The rescission of the sensitive locations policy removed decades-old protections for churches, schools, hospitals, courthouses, and shelters from immigration enforcement. The change unleashed a …

  • On January 20, 2025, the Trump administration rescinded the DHS Protected Areas policy via executive order 'Protecting the American People …
  • Arrests of people with no criminal record surged 2,450% in Trump's first year — from 6% of ICE detainees in January 2025 to 41% by December …