Officials from the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University have released statements in reaction to President Donald Trump’s executive order barring immigrants from seven countries from entering the United States.
The order was already in effect Saturday as people coming into the U. S. from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Yemen, Libya and Somalia were being detained at airports throughout the country.
“[Friday], the president signed an executive order on immigration that has the potential to significantly impact our university community,” Pitt Chancellor Patrick Gallagher said.
“The University of Pittsburgh has always viewed education and research as a global enterprise — one that is a vital part of our mission. Because of this, our vibrant community includes students, faculty, visiting scholars, family members and staff with ties to the countries covered by Friday’s executive order.”
Mr. Gallagher’s statement went on to urge anyone affiliated with Pitt from the affected countries who plan to travel outside the United States to contact the university’s Office of international Services.
CMU’s Farnam Jahanian, provost and chief academic officer, and Gina Caselegno, dean of students, shared similar sentiments with their university’s community.
“This is also an important time for all of us to recall that Carnegie Mellon University is a global community committed to diversity and inclusion,” they said. “This is a foundational value, necessary to fulfilling our mission of education, research and creativity that benefits the world. Even as we encounter changing conditions around us, we will continue to be guided by that value.”
