Amal Clooney, the internationally renowned human rights lawyer and wife of actor and filmmaker George Clooney, may soon be barred from entering the United States due to her involvement with the International Criminal Court (ICC). According to a report by PEOPLE, Amal and several other prominent UK-based attorneys have been warned that they could face sanctions from the current Trump administration. The warning stems from their advisory roles in a high-profile ICC case targeting Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.
The situation escalated following the issuance of President Trump’s Executive Order 14203 in February 2025, which outlines strict punitive measures against individuals associated with the ICC. An excerpt from the executive order released by the White House states: “The United States will impose tangible and significant consequences on those responsible for the ICC’s transgressions, some of which may include the blocking of property and assets, as well as the suspension of entry into the United States of ICC officials, employees, and agents, as well as their immediate family members, as their entry into our Nation would be detrimental to the interests of the United States.”
What’s All The Fuss With George Clooney And Amal Clooney?
The Financial Times reported that the UK Foreign Office has already alerted a select group of legal professionals, including Amal Clooney, that they could be among those targeted. Amal’s extensive client list features globally recognized political and human rights figures, making her a key legal advisor in international cases. Her role in the ICC’s proceedings has therefore drawn intense scrutiny from U.S. officials.
Commenting on the potential fallout, international lawyer Alexandro Maria Tirelli explained that those affected by the executive order would need to pursue legal avenues to challenge it. “If these sanctions are imposed, then lawyers like Amal will have to file a federal lawsuit to challenge them,” he said, “but till a decision is made they could be barred from entering the US.”
Amal, who was born in Lebanon and is licensed to practice law in both the UK and the United States, shares several American properties with her husband George Clooney. The couple, who married in 2014, spend most of their time in France with their seven-year-old twins, Alexander and Ella. Their estate holdings span across Europe and the U.S., which could be directly impacted by any restrictions stemming from the sanctions.
In addition to their professional achievements, the Clooneys are widely recognized for their philanthropic efforts. In 2016, they co-founded the Clooney Foundation for Justice, which, as described in its mission, provides free legal support in defense of “women’s rights and free speech in around 40 countries.” Their work, while celebrated, has often placed them in politically sensitive situations and under public scrutiny.
As a result, the couple has chosen a quieter, more private life away from constant media attention. George Clooney, reflecting on this lifestyle change, once shared in an interview, “Growing up in Kentucky, I never imagined I’d end up on a farm. But now, I find it’s the best way to have a normal life.”
The looming threat of U.S. sanctions against Amal Clooney highlights growing tensions between international legal institutions and national governments. While no official action has yet been taken against her, the potential implications of Executive Order 14203 could have serious consequences—not only for her travel and property rights, but also for how international human rights work is perceived and treated by powerful nations.
So far, neither Amal nor George Clooney has publicly commented on the matter. However, given their public profiles and history of legal advocacy, any response they make could influence both public opinion and diplomatic discussions in the weeks to come.
