Columbia University Joins Amicus Brief Filed Against Trump 'Travel Ban'

MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS, NY — Columbia University and sixteen other institutions of higher education have filed an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump's executive order restricting travel from seven majority-muslim countries.

The group universities have worked on the brief for two weeks, with most supporting the lawsuit against the executive due to the difficulties it places on the international academic community. The amicus brief did not reject the politics behind Trump's executive order, but noted that the universities believe in a free flow of ideas between borders.

"Safety and security concerns can be addressed in a manner that is consistent with the values America has always stood for, including the free flow of ideas and people across borders and the welcoming of immigrants to our universities," reads the amicus brief.

The lawsuit originated from an American Civil Liberties Union challenge of the executive order and was joined by New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman about two weeks ago.

The other colleges and universities behind the amicus brief include: Brown University, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Chicago, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Duke University, Emory University, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, Stanford University, Vanderbilt University and Yale University.

Columbia University President Lee Bollinger has been a critic of Trump's executive order since its passage. Earlier this month he signed a letter with 46 other university presidents to condemn the order as un-American.

"We welcome outstanding Muslim students and scholars from the United States and abroad, including the many who come from the seven affected countries. Their vibrant contributions to our institutions and our country exemplify the value of the religious diversity that has been a hallmark of American freedom since this country’s founding," the letter from 47 university presidents reads.

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