Recommendations Regarding Executive Order “Protecting the Nation from Terrorist Attacks by Foreign Nationals”

Last updated: Feb. 1, 2017

Dear Cal Lutheran campus community,

Fear and confusion have afflicted this campus and the nation since the signing of President Trump’s Executive Order (EO) “Protecting the Nation from Terrorist Attacks by Foreign Nationals,” aimed at citizens of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Complicating this difficult situation is that the implementation of the EO has varied by locale and the interpretation of its scope seems to change almost hourly.

At this difficult time, we must affirm Cal Lutheran’s core values and commit to supporting all members of our community, a community that is made up of people who come from many different nations, people who follow many faith traditions, and people who hold many different political views. They all need to have our support.

We have been working with our university attorney over the past few days to determine the best legal advice for the vulnerable members of our extended campus community and have consulted with other independent college presidents about collective steps that we might take in weeks ahead.

Last evening, our attorneys released the following recommendations for people from the seven countries affected by the executive order:

• All international students [from the seven countries named in the EO] in any nonimmigrant status (not just F-1 students), J-1 exchange visitors, employees in nonimmigrant status, applicants for adjustment of status to permanent residents with pending I-485 applicants to adjust status, and their family members, should avoid departing the United States until further notice. This includes travel to Canada, Mexico and other contiguous territories. At least for now, this includes individuals who were born in one of the listed countries and have become citizens of a country not on the list. The EO directs U.S. immigration officials to stop issuing visas and visa renewals at consular posts and to stop travelers at U.S. ports of entry even if they have unexpired visas and/or unexpired I-94 admission records. The EO has no direct impact on individuals who are in the U.S. and remain here.
• It is unclear as to whether the rulings affect lawful permanent residents who already have green cards. They should be able to return from travel abroad per the update issued on Sunday evening. For those residents who fall into this category, it is recommended that travel abroad be avoided.
• It will be difficult or potentially impossible for F-1 international students and J-1 exchange visitors from these countries to travel to the U.S. for F-1/J-1 programs in 2017. This includes new arrivals with initial I-20s/DS-2019s and returning F-1/J-1s outside the U.S. or departing the U.S.

You and your family should consult with a qualified legal advisor and/or a local non-profit immigration legal services organization in their area. Please see "Resources" below for documents and legal service providers.

Resources

Campus Resources

• Student Affairs VP – Melinda Roper
• Academic Affairs – Leanne Neilson
• Human Resources - Patricia Parham
• International Student Services
• Campus Ministry
• Student Counseling Services
• Study Abroad Office
• Center for Equality and Justice

Online Resources

• Immigration Law Help - A national directory of more than 950 free or low-cost nonprofit immigration legal service providers in all 50 states)
• Ready California - A statewide collaborative of service provider that provides community education or legal services workshops)
• Know your rights (English,Spanish) (From Canal Alliance)
• Immigrant Legal Resource Center - This page includes documents on Immigrant Rights, Help for Immigrant Families Post-Election, Family Preparedness Plan, Special Considerations for LGBTQ Immigrants. Many documents are in multiple languages and are updated frequently. New resources are added frequently.

Local Legal Resources

Official Immigration Websites

• U. S. Immigration Website: https://www.uscis.gov/
• Travel Immigration Website: https://travel.state.gov
• Immigration Customs & Enforcement detainee locator system: https://locator.ice.gov/