Both the University of Rochester and RIT have issued statements in reaction to the immigration crackdown ordered by President Donald Trump.
On Saturday evening, the U of R released this statement which was sent to the university community:
"As you are likely aware, U.S. President Donald Trump has recently issued several executive orders pertaining to immigration, and more may follow. Until the legislative and/or logistical steps necessary to bring these orders fully into effect are taken, we cannot predict their consequences. University staff will continue to closely monitor and evaluate these developments. We want to emphasize our continued support to our international students, scholars, employees, and patients, as well as for our international collaboration and engagement.
We would like to remind our community that:
- The University will do everything within its legal powers to support our community and keep our members safe.
- Outside the established requirements of the visa-sponsorship programs we participate in, the University does not provide lists or other information based on an individual’s immigration or citizenship status to external parties or authorities.
- The University’s Department of Public Safety will not detain (arrest), seek out, or assist in deporting a University student or employee solely on the basis of immigration status. Even if immigration laws change, DPS officers do not have an arresting authority for this kind of action.
All University community members are invited to attend a special information session with representatives and experts who can answer questions about immigration changes and how they could affect students, employees, scholars, international exchange and partnerships, research and other areas of global importance."
(that session will be held on Wednesday, February 1, 3;30 p.m. at the Interfaith Chapel.
Earlier on Saturday, RIT released this statement:
“Our International Student Services office is carefully reviewing what information it has been able to obtain on the executive order signed by President Trump. RIT has long welcomed students from around the world to our Henrietta campus, and we currently have undergraduate and graduate students from more than 100 countries enrolled in our university. Among those students, 45 are from the countries listed in the executive order. We have informally advised those students to not make any travel plans to leave the United States, even to neighboring Canada, during the next 30 days.
We will continue to closely monitor the situation, and as more specific information becomes available, we will communicate with those students. We want to reassure our international students that they are welcome members of the RIT family.”
