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Protecting the interests of RIT’s international community

A message from RIT President Bill Destler regarding U.S. Presidential executive orders pertaining to immigration
Date: Mar. 8, 2017

Dear RIT Students, Faculty and Staff:

On March 6, President Donald Trump issued a new executive order that restricts entry into the United States for 90 days for individuals from six countries: Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. The new executive order is effective on March 16, 2017 and revokes the prior executive order issued in January. The new order does impact members of the RIT community. Our campus leadership is carefully reviewing the details and we are actively responding to help students, faculty and staff in need.

To reiterate what we stated in January, we want to reassure the RIT international community that they are welcome members of the RIT family. The university is committed to protecting the rights and opportunities currently available to all members of our academic community. We will continue to foster an environment that promotes education, research and international collaboration.

Protecting the interests of RIT’s international community

Question: What countries are affected by the new executive order that restricts international travel to the United States?

Answer: Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Iraq, originally included in January, is not on the new list. The new executive order applies to foreign nationals of the designated countries noted above who:

  • Are outside of the United States on March 16, 2017
  • Did not have a valid United States visa at 5:00 p.m. EST on January 27, 2017
  • Do not have a valid United States visa on March 16, 2017

Q: If I am from one of the affected countries, can I make plans to travel back home or anywhere outside the United States?

A: We continue to advise our students from the six designated countries to not leave the United States as they risk being restricted from re-entry. We also have the same advice for international faculty and staff from the listed nations who may be planning to travel outside the United States for personal or business reasons. RIT has 32 students on its Henrietta campus who are from the affected countries. It appears from a preliminary review of the executive order that our students are not immediately affected if they are currently in the United States, or are outside the United States with a valid visa already in hand.

Staff in the International Students Services Office at 585-475-6943 are available to answer questions and offer guidance.

Q:  What is RIT doing about prospective students who are applying to the university from the listed nations?

A: RIT continues to review applications for admission and will work with all accepted students to provide information and assistance in the enrollment process. For questions on enrollment, contact Diane Ellison, associate vice president, at dmeges@rit.edu or 475-7284.

Q: Can my department recruit a candidate from one of the listed nations to work at RIT or visit for a research project?

A:  Anyone considering recruiting/inviting researchers or candidates for post-doc, full time, or visiting positions from one of the listed countries should contact Lori Sykes, human resources compliance manager, at ljspsn@rit.edu or 475-7393.

It’s important to note that visa processing times may take weeks, or in some cases, a few months. And, starting on March 16, citizens of the listed nations will not be able to apply for a visa until at least mid-June 2017 at the earliest. In addition, as of April 3, the ability to expedite H-1B visas will be temporarily suspended for up to six months.  This means that managers who were planning to hire foreign nationals needing H-1B support into faculty positions for the fall may need to plan for a 6-10 month approval process (current H-1B processing times).

Q: The new executive order does not apply to all foreign nationals. Who is not affected?

  • Lawful permanent residents of the U.S. (green cards holders).
  • A dual national of a country identified above who is traveling on a passport from a non-designated country.
  • A foreign national who has a document other than a visa, valid on March 16, 2017, that permits him/her to travel to the United States and seek entry or admission (e.g., an advance parole document.
  • Foreign nationals from designated countries who have been granted asylum or have already been admitted to the U.S. as refugees or granted withholding of removal, advance parole or protection under the Convention Against Torture.
  • Foreign nationals from Iraq.

Q: Where can I find additional information?

A: Please view the following resources:

Cordially Yours,
Bill Destler
President, RIT


A message from RIT President Bill Destler regarding U.S. Presidential executive orders pertaining to immigration
Date: Jan. 29, 2017

Dear RIT Students, Faculty and Staff:

As many of you are aware, U.S. President Donald Trump issued several executive orders pertaining to immigration on Friday. These orders directly and immediately impact members of the RIT community. Campus leadership is carefully reviewing the details of the executive order and we are already actively responding to help students and faculty in need.

RIT has long welcomed students from around the world to our campus. We currently have 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students from more than 100 countries enrolled in our university, with alumni living in 123 nations.

We have advised our students from the affected countries to not leave the United States during the next 90 days as they will likely be restricted from re-entry. We also have the same advice for international faculty and staff from the listed nations who may be planning to travel outside the United States for personal or business reasons.

We want to reassure the RIT international community that they are welcome members of the RIT family. The university is committed to protecting the rights and opportunities currently available to all members of our academic community. We will continue to foster an environment that promotes education, research and international collaboration. Specifically, RIT:

  • Will do everything within its legal powers to support our community and keep our members safe.
  • Outside the established requirements of the visa-sponsorship programs we participate in, the university does not provide lists or other information based on an individual’s immigration or citizenship status to external parties or authorities.
  • The Division of Student Affairs and the Department of Human Resources are working to ensure all necessary support is in place for individuals directly impacted.

You have my assurance that we will continue to closely monitor and evaluate these developments.

Cordially Yours,
Bill Destler
President, RIT

How to be involved and take action

For those in the RIT community who would like to take action to make their voices heard to decision-makers at all levels of government, the university presents key opportunities to get involved:

  • Register to Vote:
    Even in off-years, political leaders pay more attention to registered voters than those who are not. Make sure you’re registered. RIT students can start the process on RIT’s Roar the Vote website.
  • Contact your elected officials:
    Call, write, or email your elected officials to let them know where you stand on the executive orders specifically and/or legislation being considered generally. Letter templates are available on RIT’s Roar the Vote website. If you’re not sure who represents you, visit www.govtrack.us and enter the address where you’re registered to vote.
  • Get involved locally:
    There are a number of non-profit organizations looking for volunteers. Start your search on RIT’s Center for Leadership & Civic Engagement website.
  • Participate and organize:
    Over the next several months, there are a number of opportunities to learn about issues impacting various communities as well as how you can take action. Below are a few opportunities; and, we’ll update the ROAR the Vote website as we learn about others.
  • Take care of yourself:
    Take advantage of on-campus resources including Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and the Center for Religious Life. The Ombuds Office, Active Minds, and other organizations can help you frame the issues for yourself and explore how they impact others.