BREAKING: Kean president asks Trump administration to reconsider immigration ban

By Rebecca Panico | Published Jan. 30, 2017

Kean University President Dawood Farahi today asked the the Trump administration to reconsider an executive order which restricted immigration from seven predominantly Muslim countries.

“The University community understands and supports the need of the federal government to protect U.S. citizens,” Farahi said in a statement sent to all students, faculty and staff. “However, it is with great appreciation for the contributions of our international students, faculty and staff that Kean joins the multitude of universities across the nation asking the administration to reconsider this order.”

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Trump’s executive order indefinitely bars all refugees coming to the U.S. from Syria, a country immersed in a bloody civil war. It also temporarily bars entry of all refugees for 120 days and bans immigration from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for three months.

Farahi is a naturalized citizen and immigrated to the United States from Afghanistan as a college student. He presides over a student population that is ethnically majority minority, according to institutional research from the university.

“Rest assured that Kean University will continue its commitment to protect the privacy of its students and employees to the full extent of the law,” the statement continued. “We are monitoring developments related to this Executive Order and will provide updates as needed.”

Read the statement in full below:

To the Campus Community:

Kean University is a global university and proud of the diversity of its faculty, staff and student populations. The rich cultural tapestry on Kean’s campus is a vital component of the world-class education that Kean offers to all students, regardless of their country of origin or religious beliefs.

The federal government’s recent Executive Order barring entry to the United States by citizens of seven countries – Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen – has generated confusion across the country. The University community understands and supports the need of the federal government to protect U.S. citizens. However, it is with great appreciation for the contributions of our international students, faculty and staff that Kean joins the multitude of universities across the nation asking the administration to reconsider this order.

Given the quickly evolving situation, students with concerns about travel or immigration status should contact the University’s Center for International Studies for support and advice. Students experiencing stress related to these recent developments should contact the Kean Counseling Center for services. Finally, students with any other questions or concerns related to this topic should contact the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs. Kean employees with related concerns are encouraged to reach out to the Employee Assistance Program at 1-800-890-8028.

Additionally, members of the Kean community planning to travel to any of the seven affected countries are advised to seek professional advice.

Rest assured that Kean University will continue its commitment to protect the privacy of its students and employees to the full extent of the law. We are monitoring developments related to this Executive Order and will provide updates as needed.

Sincerely,

Dawood Farahi, Ph.D.
President
Kean University

Rebecca Panico may be reached at panicore@kean.edu. Follow The Tower on Twitter@KeanTower. Find The Tower on Facebook.

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