Letter from President Hanlon and Provost Dever on Executive Order on Immigration

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On Sunday, Jan. 29, President Phil Hanlon ’77 and Provost Carolyn Dever sent a message to the Dartmouth community regarding the recent executive order on immigration. The full text of the message is below.

To all members of the Dartmouth community:

On Friday, January 27, President Donald Trump issued an executive order related to immigration from specific countries. The executive order includes a provision suspending immigrant and nonimmigrant entry to the U.S. for individuals from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. It is our understanding that it applies to individuals with a temporary visa status in the U.S. (F-1, J-1, H-1B, etc.), permanent residence in the U.S., and possibly to individuals with dual citizenship (citizenship in a listed country and another, third country). The order calls for a 90-day suspension, but that time period could be extended. A federal District Court judge issued an injunction on Saturday, January 28, that has suspended parts of the order temporarily.

Our Office of Visa and Immigration Services strongly recommends that foreign nationals from the seven countries listed above avoid all international travel, including to Canada, for the time being. We are working closely with students and faculty who have been affected by this action.

Dartmouth is a global institution. This community is home to more than 900 international students and more than 200 international faculty, scholars, and staff. Dartmouth’s commitment to the free and open exchange of ideas, global research, and education manifests itself in dozens of partnerships and in international study and exchange programs. Our engagement with the full human diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences is critical—to both the strength of the Dartmouth community and the effectiveness of Dartmouth’s learning and leadership. We recognize, value, and celebrate the essential contributions of our international students and scholars.

On Saturday, the Association of American Universities issued a statement that we fully support calling for the repeal of the executive order. The text of the statement is available at http://www.aau.edu/news/article.aspx?id=18366.

These events have understandably generated great anxiety and confusion across our campus, and are very troubling. The College will continue to monitor the evolving situation, and provide information and support to the members of our community who may be affected.  Thanks to each and every one of you for pulling together as a community during this time of need.

Sincerely,

Phil Hanlon, President
Carolyn Dever, Provost

Office of Communications