WMU president says he will advocate for, protect international students

By Madison Bennett | MLive

KALAMAZOO, MI - Western Michigan University President John Dunn urged the campus community to reach out to and support international students in response to President Donald Trump's executive order on immigration.

On Friday, Trump signed an order restricting entry to the United States for refugees or citizens of seven countries -- Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen.

The order also suspends the U.S. refugee program for 120 days and bars entry of Syrian refugees indefinitely.

In a statement Monday, Dunn emphasized the importance of international students' presence on WMU campus and within the university community.

"International students help us understand the fact that intellect and creativity are found in every part of the world. That understanding helps build friendships and trust," he said.

According to Dunn, WMU's current student body includes nearly 100 students from the seven nations identified in the executive order.

He also noted that there are other students of Muslim faith among the nearly 1,900 international students enrolled and residing within the university community.

"Sadly, while it may not have been the intent of the executive order, many students, faculty and staff are feeling fearful, threatened, unwelcome and cut off from their nations and their families who reside in the seven countries identified in the order," he wrote.

Dunn then encouraged the campus community to reach out and show support to those affected.

"In the coming days, weeks and months, I am asking you to join me in taking every proactive step possible to reach all international students, particularly those from the nations outlined in the executive order, to let them know that we as a university welcome and support them," Dunn said.

He made it clear that the university will do everything it can to protect and advocate for its international students and said that includes those who are currently protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals - DACA policy.

"This means that we will not release immigration or student information unless we are mandated to do so within the constraints of the law," he said.

Dunn also wrote that this is a time to reach out and "let your views be known" to elected representatives.

"As a public university, we do not take political stands. But we do not check our views and best judgment at the door," Dunn said.

To view the full letter, visit wmich.edu. 

This post originally appeared Jan. 30, 2017 on MLive.com.