4/21/2020 Executive Order – Suspension of US Immigration

April 21, 2020

Dear Members of the Tufts Community:

Last evening, President Trump delivered an announcement over Twitter indicating his intention to temporarily suspend by Executive Order immigration to the US. We understand the alarm and deep concern this message has generated.

As of this morning, the International Center does not have any details about the scope or timing of the intended suspension, or which persons it may directly impact. Media reports indicate that the actual Executive Order will be released later this week or early next week. We wish to advise you that the International Center is aware of this announcement, which was unanticipated, and are watching developments closely. We are also in communication with University leadership as well as a variety of professional associations and resources. Legal experts predict that any Executive Order in this direction will be met with immediate legal challenges.

The International Center continues to believe in the value and necessity of immigration to the cultural and economic vitality of the United States. In our view, the challenges posed by the current COVID-19 pandemic in fact reinforce this point, rather than undermine it.

We will continue to send ongoing updates as more detailed information becomes available, through email and over our web site at https://icenter.tufts.edu. Please contact me at Andrew.Shiotani@tufts.edu if you have immediate questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Andrew K. Shiotani
Director, Tufts International Center