Opinion: Broken Promises Caused by the Travel Ban

The scientific community must step up to support students and scholars who will undoubtedly face isolation.

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ABOVE: Protesters of the travel ban at the Seattle-Tacoma airport, January 28, 2017
WIKIMEDIA, DENNIS BRATLAND

In a 5-4, closely watched decision, the US Supreme Court sided with President Donald Trump’s administration and allowed the third version of the Executive Order on Immigration, also known as the travel ban, to go into effect. Regardless of the legal and political ramifications, there will be a considerable human cost, and the scientific community should be proactive to minimize its effect on the students and scholars subject to this policy.

Tens of thousands of students from countries affected by the travel ban, with already limited access to their parents, relatives, and friends, will be further thrown into uncertainty and isolation. They will need immense support from their communities to stay sane and carry on. I know this, because until not too long ago, I was one of these students.

I first entered the United ...

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  • Hani Goodarzi

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