Executive order on visas

Bechtel International Center is offering information to Stanford’s international community about the effects of a federal executive order announced Monday, June 22, that places restrictions on certain visa categories through the end of the 2020 calendar year.

Bechtel also has scheduled a series of virtual town hall meetings, from Tuesday, June 23 through Monday, June 29, where information on the executive order will be available for different groups within the Stanford community.

Though it does not impose new restrictions on individuals already present in the United States, the order restricts the issuance of new visas in several categories until December 31, 2020. 

“We are disappointed by this decision, which represents another step that contributes to the United States appearing unwelcoming to the best and brightest minds around the world,” Stanford President Marc Tessier-Lavigne said of the executive order. “We continue to be committed to the international exchange of people and ideas, which is essential to the discovery and transmission of knowledge and the long-term strength of the innovation economy.”

Tessier-Lavigne recently wrote to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, urging the federal government’s support for the international exchange of students and scholars, and encouraging “rejection of any policies that include blanket limitations, revocations or eliminations of visas for international students and scholars.” Stanford will continue its active advocacy efforts on these issues before the Executive Branch and Congress.