Universities in the United States have announced advisories to their students after President Trump's immigration order. Some institutions have advised its students against travelling internationally until the order's effects and consequences are more clearly understood.
NBC News reported that President Trump's executive order suspends entry for 90 days from certain Muslim-majority nations based on statute related to the Visa Waiver Program. Individuals from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen will not be allowed entry from the nation.
Columbia University President Lee C. Bollinger released key provisions for the executive order named "Protecting the Nation from Terrorist Attacks by Foreign Individuals." Bollinger also urged community members and visiting scholars from the banned countries to suspend their plans for international travel.
Stanford University's Bechtel International Center took to Facebook to urge nationals of the banned countries to refrain from travelling. A PhD student, who is from Sudan but is a longtime legal U.S. resident, from the school got detained for about five hours after the executive order was signed.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology admitted that its first concern is for the international students and scholars who are directly affected. The school is working closely with the affected individuals to offer their support.
According to The Washington Post, about 21 Nobel laureates and several academics signed a petition against President Trump's immigration order. The Association of American Universities President, Mary Sue Coleman, urged the administration to clarify to the world that the U.S. continues to welcome the most talented people from all countries to study, teach as well as conduct research at local universities.
The organization explained that the U.S. needs to continue attracting the best students, scientists, engineers and scholars. Other countries may surpass the nation as the global leader in higher education, research and innovation if it is replaced as the prime destination for the most talented students and researchers, causing irreparable damage to the economy.
