George Clooney's Wife Reportedly At Risk Of U.S. Entry Refusal Amid Looming Donald Trump Sanctions

George Clooney's wife, Amal Clooney, a prominent human rights lawyer, may soon face U.S. entry restrictions under a reported plan backed by Donald Trump.

The proposed sanctions target international lawyers advising the International Criminal Court in its war crimes case against Israeli officials. The news comes shortly after her husband criticized the state of American politics and compared democracy’s ups and downs to his son's chess games.

Amal Clooney, who was born in Lebanon and raised in the U.K., built a high-profile international law career before marrying George Clooney in 2014. 

The potential travel restriction stems from President Donald Trump's executive order issued in February, which opened the door to sanctions against British lawyers involved in the ICC’s war crimes case against Israeli officials. 

International law expert Alexandro Maria Tirelli warned that Amal, a U.K. citizen, could face the same restrictions if sanctions against more British lawyers move forward.

If further sanctions are enforced, Amal could find her access to the U.S. restricted despite her personal and professional ties to the country.

The executive order, signed by Trump in early 2025, targeted ICC prosecutor Karim Khan and accused the court of "abusing its power" by issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense chief Yoav Gallant. 

As PEOPLE reports, Trump's argument hinges on the fact that neither Israel nor the U.S. ratified the Rome Statute, the treaty that created the ICC. However, Palestine ratified the statute in 2015, giving the ICC legal grounds to investigate alleged war crimes committed in the Palestinian territories. 

The executive order, issued by Trump in February, uses the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), along with the National Emergencies Act and the McCarran-Walter Act.

Under the IEEPA, the president can restrict entry to the U.S. and cut off financial dealings for anyone deemed a threat to American interests without the option to appeal. Experts say anyone formally sanctioned would be locked out of the U.S. during the entire legal battle.

This could drag on for months or even years unless they file a federal lawsuit challenging the order on grounds like "violation of the right to due process," "abuse of executive authority," or "infringement of professional freedom.”

The potential sanctions conflict with the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, which ensures that legal professionals can perform their duties without interference, including the freedom to travel and consult with clients.

These principles emphasize that lawyers should not face punitive measures for performing their recognized professional duties.

Attorney Alexandro Maria Tirelli explained that executive orders like Trump’s do not require a criminal charge or trial. The decision to label someone a threat to U.S. interests would rest entirely with the administration.

So far, no foreign lawyers have been penalized in this way, but the threat alone has sparked concern. In March 2025, when Trump ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to consider sanctions against legal professionals and judges tied to cases he disapproved of, the American Bar Association issued a public rebuke.

"We reject efforts to undermine the courts and the profession. We will not stay silent in the face of efforts to remake the legal profession into something that rewards those who agree with the government and punishes those who do not," the ABA said in its statement. 

The actor did not hold back when sharing his thoughts on the 2024 presidential election results, expressing both frustration and a firm belief in democratic norms.

The Blast reported that during a sit-down with Stephen Colbert, the TV personality made a pointed joke referencing the January 6 Capitol riot, saying, "Well, I don't know, what am I supposed to do? Storm the f-cking Capitol?"

Clooney followed up his Capitol remark with a more measured take, stating, "Good for you. I hope you do well because our country needs it, and in 3.5 years, we'll see where we go next.”

Clooney acknowledged his disappointment over the 2024 election outcome but made it clear he still believed in the democratic process, win or lose. In his words:

"It's part of democracy. There are people who agree and disagree, and most of us still like each other, we're all gonna get through it."

He also connected the dots by telling a story about his son, Alexander, who regularly competes in chess tournaments against older kids. As Clooney explained, "He's seven years old, and he's playing against a lot of older kids, and he is not winning all the time, as you can imagine." 

Clooney continued, "He gets upset, and I say, 'Listen, shake the guy's hand, you say good game, I'll get you next time.' And that's kind of how... you've got to live by those rules."

Amal Clooney now faces the real possibility of being blocked from the country she has long called a second home.