INDReporter

UL students and faculty from travel ban countries accounted for

by Christiaan Mader

UL announced 15 faculty and students from hail from countries singled out in the travel ban.

Protestors outside the Supreme Court building following the travel ban annoucnement
Lorie Shaull, Wikimedia Commons

University of Louisiana officials report that none of the school's students and faculty that hail from the seven countries affected by the president's recent travel ban are currently abroad. That means they're essentially safe and sound as far as the order's restrictions are concerned, so long as they remain in the United States.

A statement from the university's Office of International Affairs, which manages the university's international exchange and enrollment program, notes that 10 students, four faculty and one administrator are subject to the travel ban's restrictions on entry.

“Everyone is accounted for, and none were traveling," said director Rose Honegger in the statement. "Our priority is to make sure that they were safe and are here. And to provide support to our students and scholars. Everyone I’ve spoken with seems to be doing OK.”

The ban, implemented by executive order of President Donald Trump on Jan. 27, broadly bars entry into the United States for nationals from Sudan, Syria, Somalia, Libya, Yemen, Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran.

Of the 15 UL affiliates affected by the ban, 13 are from Iran. All four faculty members and the lone administrator are Iranian nationals. UL reports that it has 563 international students enrolled and 122 international faculty, staff and researches.

To be sure, the ban only affects the UL students and faculty should they leave the United States and attempt to return within the 90 day window on travelers other than refugees.

State department officials announced today that 60,000 visas were revoked. A lawyer with the U.S. Department of Justice claimed the number was closer to 100,000.

A widespread public and political backlash burst at the ban's announcement, including protests at airports around the world, with many claiming the order constituted a bigoted restriction on Muslim immigrants. The Trump administration has clarified portions of order, exempting green card holders, though it remains controversial.

The president's ban has faced legal challenge since the immediate hours of its announcement. Federal judges in Detroit, Los Angeles and New York have ordered stays on the order's enforcement, particularly as it pertains to permanent residents and persons already granted lawful entry.

UL's statement notes that officials have offered legal resources and support to any school community members affected by the ban. The Office of International Affairs hosted a question and answer session with interested students earlier this week, connecting attendees with a local immigration attorney.