CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia University plans an open forum for international faculty and students Monday evening, after President Donald Trump’s executive order imposing a travel ban on seven nations whose majority populations are Muslim.
WVU President Gordon Gee announced the forum from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Mountainlair.
“It is imperative that we continue to have the necessary and important conversations to assist during this time,” Gee said in an email that went out to faculty, staff and students.
WVU will support and assist our international community who may be affected by President Trump’s executive order. https://t.co/W1hqkLEgEY
— E. Gordon Gee (@gordongee) January 29, 2017
The executive order Trump signed Friday barred Syrian refugees from entering the United States indefinitely, suspended all refugee admissions for 120 days and blocked citizens of seven countries — Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen — from entering the United States for 90 days.
Confusion and chaos have occurred since because the order went into effect immediately, catching some of those from affected countries as they were traveling. On Saturday evening, a federal judge issued a stay to stop the removal of those detained.
WVU says it has 69 students from Iran, 27 students from Libya, 13 from Syria, 13 from Iraq, four students from Yemen and one from Sudan. There are no Somalian students, WVU says.
WVU has advised its international students to keep their documentation on them and to avoid traveling outside the country.
Specifically, the university offered this advice:
- If you are an international student or scholar from one of the above countries and currently PRESENT in the United States to cancel immediately any planned travel outside of the country until further notice, as you may not be allowed back in even if you are in possession of a valid visa.
- If you are an international student or scholar from one of the above countries who are currently OUTSIDE the United States but are in possession of a valid visa/valid travel document immediately return to the United States.
- We advise that if you are a national of one of the above countries, it is in your best interest to get the advice of an experienced immigration lawyer if you wish to travel outside the United States, or if you are currently outside the United States, prior to making travel plans.
- We advise all international students and scholars (not only those from the countries above) that it is more important than ever that you carry documentation verifying your legal status in the United States (if you travel within the US and/ or outside of Morgantown) and strictly abide by the rules and regulations governing your immigration status.
Gee wrote that the university benefits from its diversity and by attracting bright international students.
“Our University is enriched by and appreciates the diverse talent, culture and contributions shared by our international faculty and students,” he wrote. “With more than 115 countries represented on our Morgantown campus, the world comes to West Virginia through our doors. And in return, the world meets West Virginia when our faculty, staff and students travel outside our home among the hills. How we care for each other reflects not only the spirit of our institution, but indeed, our entire state.
“Let us remember that we are One West Virginia University. As we empathize with all who are affected, let us also offer our support in every possible way. And I ask that we be mindful of each other, and that we continue to treat each other with respect, with civility and with the dignity that every human being deserves.”
Marshall University is giving similar advice and support to its international students. Marshall President Jerome Gilbert issued a statement Saturday, saying the university gains from the international students who are part of the campus community.
Gilbert said Marshall has more than 550 international students from 56 countries, and it’s checking to see how many of those are from the affected countries.
These students are valued and welcomed members of the Marshall family. Their presence adds immeasurable value to our campus by bringing the richness of their cultures and experiences to Marshall and Huntington.
“We will continue to monitor this evolving situation and, as more information becomes available, we will communicate with those affected members of our university community,” Gilbert wrote in a message to faculty, staff and students.
Colleges across the country are taking similar steps to check on their international students, reported the Chronicle of Higher Education. Leaders of many colleges advised students from the affected countries to not travel abroad during the 90-day ban.
“While the executive order immediately affects those traveling into the country, it has left many students, and the educators who advise them, with a sense of uncertainty,” The Chronicle wrote.