Statement on Executive Order affecting international Postdoctoral Scholars

[Augusto Tentori]

Dear fellow MIT Postdocs,

On Friday, President Trump signed an Executive Order that restricts
individuals from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Yemen, Libya and Somalia from
entering the United States. The impact of this order is being covered
extensively in the news and is being felt by many members of the MIT
community. Even though the Massachusetts federal district court issued a
temporary order that restrains the government from enforcing the Executive
Order for seven days, the final outcome of this order is not yet known.

The leadership of the MIT Postdoctoral Association supports the inclusion
of all people regardless of national origin, citizenship, or religious
views and considers this Executive Order to be against MIT values (
www.mitvalues.org/). Moreover, we believe that this policy is detrimental
to scientific progress and research. Around two thirds of postdocs are
international scholars. As Postdocs, we see the value of working alongside
talented and diverse colleagues first hand, and thus have a responsibility
to express our views.

Below are a few ways you may personally choose to take action:

   -

   Academics Against Immigration Executive Order started a petition to
   oppose a potential permanent ban that you can sign and share:
   https://notoimmigrationban.com/
   -

   There is a phonebanking event today being held at MIT in 50-340 from
   1-5pm https://www.facebook.com/events/1593047820708823/
   -

   Get involved with 314action to help improve communication between
   scientists and government officials http://www.314action.org/home/
   -

   Consider running for office yourself in the near future or support
   someone you know https://www.runforsomething.net/
   -

   Sign up for the March for Science https://www.marchforscience.com/


If you have specific concerns about your particular situation, please
contact the International Scholars Office (ischo at mit.edu).

Sincerely,

Augusto Tentori (President)  Kathrin Graetz (Vice President), and Thomas
Matarazzo (Advocacy Committee Chair) on behalf of  The MIT Postdoctoral
Association
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