Washington, D.C.: Amal Clooney renowned international human rights lawyer and wife of Hollywood actor George Clooney — is reportedly facing the threat of U.S. sanctions, including a potential ban on entering the United States.
According to recent reports, Amal is among a group of British legal professionals who have been warned by the UK Foreign Office about the possibility of U.S. government action due to their involvement with the International Criminal Court (ICC). Clooney has been advising on a case currently under review by the ICC, which includes the investigation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.
The investigation has provoked a sharp reaction from the U.S. administration, particularly under former President Donald Trump, who is believed to have reasserted a hardline stance toward the ICC. In February 2025, Trump reportedly issued an executive order that permits sweeping sanctions against individuals linked to the Court’s actions. These measures could include asset freezes and travel bans — even affecting family members — for anyone involved in what the administration views as politically motivated legal actions against U.S. allies.
This places Amal Clooney in an unusual and precarious position. Known for her work defending political prisoners, victims of genocide, and journalists across the globe, she may now find herself at the center of a high-stakes geopolitical battle.
Though no official action has been taken yet, the warning issued by the UK’s Foreign Office suggests that Clooney and a few others are being seriously considered for punitive measures. If sanctioned, Amal would be legally blocked from entering the U.S., where she and her husband George Clooney own several properties and have longstanding professional and personal ties.
Born in Lebanon and holding dual qualifications in the UK and the U.S., Amal has built a reputation as one of the most influential figures in international law. She and George Clooney, who have seven-year-old twins, Alexander and Ella, currently reside primarily in France, but the threat of being barred from the U.S. could affect their family’s ability to travel and conduct business.
Legal analysts suggest that any such sanction would likely trigger a legal challenge from Clooney and her team. The situation also raises broader concerns about the reach of executive power in foreign policy and its intersection with international law.
The development places Amal Clooney — often seen advocating for the rule of law and human rights — on the opposite side of a powerful political move that could redefine how the U.S. interacts with international legal bodies and their representatives.
