Statement on Executive Order Limiting Immigration
To the Caltech Community:
On January 31, 2017, a group of approximately 60 Caltech students, postdoctoral scholars, and staff from Caltech and JPL, most of whom were from the countries named in the January 27th presidential executive order limiting entry and immigration into the United States (and thus who face uncertainty regarding their status here), met with representatives from the International Offices, the Graduate Studies office, Human Resources, and other offices across campus. The purpose of the meeting was to disseminate information about the policy announced in the presidential executive order and how it is likely to affect members of the Caltech community, to answer questions, and to assure those likely to be affected by the policy that Caltech will do all that it can to support them. This includes legal advice and other support services.
Given the fluidity of the current situation, we urge those affected by the executive order not to travel outside of the United States. Ilana Smith, director of Caltech's International Offices, is the contact person for community members who have questions or find themselves in an emergency situation. She can be reached by phone at 626.395.4329 or at ilana.smith@caltech.edu.
The International Offices have arranged a second meeting aimed at clarifying the situation for Caltech's wider community of international students and employees. It will take place on Wednesday, February 8th, from 5 to 7 p.m., in the Lees-Kubota Lecture Hall in Guggenheim 133. At this meeting, immigration attorney David Strashnoy from the law firm of Stone Grzegorek & Gonzalez (who has worked with Caltech over several years) will answer questions and provide updates on the implementation of the executive order.
As emphasized in President Rosenbaum's January 28th memo to the Caltech community (http://www.caltech.edu/content/executive-order-issued-january-27-2017), Caltech depends—indeed thrives—on the free flow of persons and ideas in our community. The Institute is committed to doing everything we can to ensure the continued freedom of movement and expression no matter the uncertainties that we face.
Cindy Weinstein
Vice Provost
Chief Diversity Officer
Eli and Edythe Broad Professor of English
Edward M. Stolper
Provost
Carl and Shirley Larson Provostial Chair
William E. Leonhard Professor of Geology