Letter from Cottey’s President Regarding Current Travel Restrictions

Dear Cottey Community,
On January 27, 2017, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order entitled Protecting the Nation from Terrorist Entry into the United States by Foreign Nationals. Under Section 3(c) of that Executive Order, entry into the United States of “immigrants and nonimmigrants” from seven countries has been suspended for 90 days from the date the Executive Order was signed, “except for those traveling on diplomatic visas, North Atlantic Treaty Organization visas, C-2 visas for travel to the United Nations, and G-1, G-2, G-3, and G-4 visas.” The named countries include Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.

To review the entire executive order, go to https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/27/us/politics/refugee-muslim-executive-order-trump.html?_r=0

We cannot say for certain what will happen during or after the stated 90 days. Therefore, colleges, including Cottey, are advising their community members from the above named countries or those students or faculty members with dual citizenship not to travel internationally. If you are an international student with questions about your status, please contact Jordan Denefrio, International Education Coordinator. Cottey will continue to monitor the situation and notify the campus with any updates.

We understand that this situation may be unsettling for many of our Cottey community. Our international students and professors are important to the fabric of our institution, as are all members of the Cottey team. As a campus, we will continue to support every student, faculty member, and staff member, regardless of his/her national origin, religion, or citizenship.

As we go forward, we will continue to provide updates to the campus community as information becomes available. Our pledge to you is that we will do everything possible to support all members of our community.

Jann Weitzel, Ph.D.
President
And the Officers of Cottey College