On January 27, 2017, President Trump issued an Executive Order on Immigration. The order temporarily suspends the issuance of visas and places a ban on entry into the United States by citizens of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Serious concerns have been raised by thousands in the academic community that the impact of this Executive Order is discriminatory and imposes undue burden on certain members of our community and their families.

The Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU), of which St. John’s is a member, has issued a statement expressing strong opposition to the Executive Order. I join the more than one hundred presidents of Catholic colleges and universities in support of the statement. Click here to read the full statement by ACCU.

We are in the process of reviewing the full impact of the Executive Order and reaching out to members of the University who may be directly affected. I urge those who have travel plans to or from the countries listed above to first consult with the University’s Office of General Counsel before making any travel plans.

As a Catholic and Vincentian University with a 147-year history, St. John’s has—and will always be—a place that welcomes immigrants and the children of immigrants. This year, the Congregation of the Mission fittingly celebrates the 400th anniversary of the Vincentian Charism as the year of Welcoming the Stranger. At St. John’s University, we support all members of the University community, regardless of their country of origin or their chosen faith. We are committed to continuing this tradition.

Conrado “Bobby” Gempesaw, Ph.D.
President

Source: St. John’s University webpage