Scientific Community Responds to President Trump’s Executive Order on Immigration

Central to the global scientific and innovation enterprise is the principle of free and open scientific exchange.  Researchers need to be able to attend meetings, host international collaborators and educators, and attract the best graduate and postdoctoral trainees and job candidates.  On January 27, 2017, the Trump Administration issued an executive order entitled “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States.” The order suspends the following:

  • US Refugee Admissions Program for 120 days
  • entry of citizens of Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen for 90 days
  • entry of Syrian refugees indefinitely

Like many other organizations, ASPB is deeply concerned that this executive order will negatively impact the process and progress of science and the ability of plant biologists to lead the development of solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change; to sustainably feed, fuel, and clothe a growing world population; and to contribute to a deeper fundamental understanding of life.

As such, ASPB has participated in the development of a community letter and joined AAAS and an extensive group of professional scientific and engineering organizations and universities to urge the administration to rescind the executive order and work with the community towards the development of “an immigration and visa policy that advances U.S. prosperity and ensures strong borders while staying true to foundational American principles as a nation of immigrants.”

Also, there is a grassroots petition that’s emerged to send a message regarding the scientific community’s opposition to the executive order.  The “Academics Against Immigration Executive Order” petition is receiving broad support, and we want to make sure our community is aware of it.

If you have been impacted the administration’s immigration action, please share your stories with us below in the comments.

1 thought on “Scientific Community Responds to President Trump’s Executive Order on Immigration”

  1. I genuinely fear for the future of our disciplines and countless other areas of life.
    Future generations are in danger of viewing the next few years as a ‘black hole’ in human evolution.

    Reply

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