Wellesley-Area Colleges on Immigration Ban: 'Deeply Alarmed,' 'Concerned'

WELLESLEY, MA – The presidents of two Wellesley colleges are speaking out against President Donald Trump's executive order Friday putting a 90-day freeze on immigration from seven predominantly Muslim countries and indefinitely suspending the intake of refugees from Syria.

In a statement Sunday, Wellesley College President Paula Johnson said she and the administration at the school are "deeply concerned" about the order and encouraged all non-citizens, and especially staff and students from the affected countries, to not travel outside of the United States while the scope of the ban is determined.

"We find ourselves facing a new world; how we act will define who we are as a community," Johnson wrote. "My goal in this message is to convey our unwavering support for any and all of our community members affected by this executive order. We remain dedicated to your safety and to your unimpeded ability to take your place as a valued member of this community."

Students at Wellesley who may be directly impacted by the executive order have been contacted by the Slater International Center and Student Life. A list of resources for those who believe they might be affected, as well as Johnson's full statement, can be found here.

Babson College President Kerry Healey released a statement Monday saying the administration is "deeply alarmed" by the president's order and reassured students that they would be supported by the school.

"I hope that, as we work to support and assist our community members whose lives have been upended by this new U.S. policy, we will reflect on our great blessings, core values, and the importance of academic freedom, and that these reflections will encourage us to model for our governments constructive cross-border collaboration to advance peace, prosperity, and tolerance," Healey wrote. "Our commitment to global academic engagement and to empowering entrepreneurs everywhere to create positive social and economic change in their communities is unshakable and transcends borders and shifting political climates."

A list of resources, and Healey's complete statement, may be found here.

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr Commons