Chancellor Responds to Immigration Executive Order

NC State Community:

On Friday, January 27, President Trump issued an Executive Order limiting immigrant and non-immigrant visa holders from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Somalia, Libya and Yemen from entering the United States for 90 days. The order also directed the suspension of the refugee admission program for 120 days and suspended all refugee processing of Syrian nationals.

The overall results of this decision, on the NC State community and more broadly, remain unclear. Already this weekend two federal courts ruled against part of the Executive Order, issuing stays that temporarily block the deportation of individuals who have arrived at U.S. airports with valid visas. Other lawsuits are reported to be filed this week.

At NC State, across the UNC System and throughout the United States, our international students, faculty and staff are critically important and extremely valuable members of our higher education communities. Our universities are daily enriched and strengthened by the talent, insight and culture that international students, faculty and staff bring to our campuses.

As we follow the developments to determine the impact this Executive Order will have at NC State, our Office of International Affairs, Graduate School, Provost’s Office and others are working to connect with students, faculty and staff from these named countries and ensure we’re offering support. We have approximately 170 students, visiting scholars and employees who may be affected, however at this time we are not aware that any of these students or employees are traveling abroad. Anyone with questions or concerns should contact the Office of International Affairs or the Office of International Employment.
In the meantime, we strongly recommend that our faculty, staff and students who are at NC State from the targeted countries avoid international travel until further notice.

To all of our international students, especially those from the countries identified in the Executive Order, please know you are a welcome and valued part of the NC State Community. We encourage you to purposefully and passionately continue pursuing your educational dreams and contributing to the scholarship that embodies our think and do mantra. Also, please don’t hesitate to connect with advisors, counselors, professors or any of the many caring people at NC State who are here to provide support and help you be successful.

Thank you,

Randy Woodson, Chancellor

Originally published on Chancellor’s page.