University presidents in Indiana have expressed opposition to President Trump’s executive order that temporarily bars immigrants and refugees of certain countries from entering the United States.
No IPFW students are from any of the banned countries, but two faculty members are, says Director of International Student Services Brian Mylrea. He says he’s planning to talk to all international students and staff, even those who aren’t from countries under the travel ban.
“We plan to emphasize IPFW’s mission to continue to provide an environment of inclusivity that welcomes all,” Mylrea said.
Mylrea says there also aren’t any students in study abroad programs in the affected countries, but he’ll reach out to those students as well.
The chair of IPFW’s hospitality and tourism management department John Niser says even though he isn’t from any of the countries with restricted border access, he still felt an extra level of security as he flew in from Germany on Sunday. Niser is a Swiss citizen and has a British passport, but he’s lived in Fort Wayne for 10 years.
He says the reentry process usually takes about 10 minutes, but this time it took almost an hour. He had to answer many additional questions about who he was and where he was going.
“I’m a resident here, I didn’t feel I was coming home, put it mildly,” Niser said.
On Monday afternoon IPFW Chancellor Vicky Carwein released a statement stating that the university endorses the remarks made by Purdue University President Mitch Daniels and Indiana University President Michael McRobbie. Both presidents have expressed opposition to President Trump’s executive order that temporarily bars immigrants and refugees of certain countries from entering the United States.
President Trump’s travel ban means citizens from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Libya, and Somalia are barred from entering the U.S. for 90 days. New refugee admissions are suspended for 120 days.
