AMES, Iowa – An Iowa State University postdoctoral researcher whose return to the U.S. was delayed following President Trump’s immigration ban from seven countries has returned to Ames. The man works in the College of Engineering.
Another individual, an admitted but not-yet-registered ISU graduate student who was turned away at an airport in Stockholm on Saturday, was again unable to board a flight from a different international airport this morning (Jan. 31). He has been in contact with the International Students and Scholars Office, and is consulting with immigration attorneys to determine whether he should make further attempts to travel to the U.S.
The third ISU-affiliated person affected by the travel ban, a visiting scholar who had planned to be on campus by Feb. 1, has elected not to come at this time.
Iowa State has not received any additional reports of its students, faculty or staff being denied entry to the U.S.
Deb Vance, interim director of International Students and Scholars, and staff members have been meeting with many concerned students and will continue to do so in the coming days. Some of their questions are difficult, and some of the answers remain unknown at this time.
Vance and Senior Vice President for Student Affairs Martino Harmon said they want affected students to know the university will do all it can to help them navigate the uncertainty.
“Student Affairs is mobilized to help – through counseling, student assistance, student legal services,” Harmon said. “We are all here to help. We have had relationships for years with many immigration attorneys, who we’re planning to invite here in a few weeks when more developments are known.”
Students are encouraged to check the International Students and Scholars Office’s website for updates.