You Are Essential to Penn: Support for Our Global Community
Dear International Members of the Penn Community,
We know that recent statements about international students and immigration policy changes have been deeply destabilizing as you navigate visa applications, summer travel, and planning for the fall semester. The critiques cast a pall over one of America’s traditional strengths—its openness to global talent—and are causing undeserved disruption for a community of students and scholars who contribute meaningfully to our campus and our country.
Yesterday, we offered guidance to impacted community members about the reinstated travel ban restricting entry to the United States for nationals of twelve countries, Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, and heightening restrictions on travelers from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. More information on this ban and all other recent announcements can be found here.
At this time, we encourage our international community to:
- Stay informed by regularly checking updates from the U.S. Department of State and your respective consulate or embassy.
- Remain in communication with academic departments and the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) office for any travel or visa concerns.
- Reach out for support from ISSS to navigate this challenging moment.
Penn is not Penn without its international community. You are essential to Penn’s mission.
For questions or assistance, please contact Dr. Rudie Altamirano, Executive Director of ISSS, at rudiea@upenn.edu.
Sincerely,
Ezekiel Emanuel
Vice Provost for Global Initiatives
Amy Gadsden
Associate Vice Provost for Global Initiatives