Editor's note: Emory'sInternational Student and Scholar Servicesissued the following update on June 26 after the U.S. Supreme Court's announcement related to President Trump's executive order on immigration.
As you may have heard, the U.S. government has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in on the March 6 Executive Order as two Circuit Courts have ruled against banning entry of citizens of six countries (Libya, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen).
According to today’s announcement, the Supreme Court has decided to hear the arguments in the case in October 2017. In addition, the Supreme Court is allowing parts of the executive order to take effect, but in a much narrower scope. According to the Supreme Court order, the government cannot block entry of affected individuals if they have “a credible claim of a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States,” which is “…formal, documented and formed in the ordinary course…” rather than for the purpose of evading the executive order.
The Supreme Court order goes on to provide the following examples of bona fide relationships:
- An international student who has been admitted to a U.S. university (e.g. F-1 or J-1)
- A worker who has an offer of employment from a U.S. company (e.g. H-1B, O-1, etc.)
Based on these examples, individuals from the six designated countries should not be subject to the travel ban if they are under Emory's immigration sponsorship as documented by their immigration paperwork.
We want to remind all international students and scholars who are under Emory’s immigration sponsorship to fill out a Travel Information e-form for each trip outside of the U.S., including brief trips to Canada or Mexico. The Travel Information e-form allows us to review your immigration status under the current immigration rules and to offer re-entry advising, including travel signatures if applicable.
When you find yourself in need of help, Emory University stands to offer assistance. Please refer to our emergency protocol so that we can assist you both during and after normal business hours. If you have not done so already, stop by our office to pick up an Emergency Contact Information card listing phone numbers to call for immigration or life-threatening emergencies. They are small enough to fit in your wallet or passport.
Emory is what it is today thanks to significant contributions by the best and the brightest from across the globe. Everyone at Emory University recognizes the values of international education, research and collaborations. We will continue to closely monitor immigration-related developments and work with our professional associations and colleagues to advocate for favorable immigration policies that benefit everyone.
Please do not hesitate to contact your ISSS adviser if you have any questions or need support.