The following is a statement from AAU President Mary Sue Coleman about President Trump’s latest executive order titled "Proclamation Suspending Entry of Aliens Who Present a Risk to the U.S. Labor Market Following the Coronavirus Outbreak":
Today’s executive action will harm our nation’s economic and scientific competitiveness while failing to achieve any of the president’s stated goals in issuing it. While we share the administration’s concern about limiting the spread of COVID-19, this order will not stem the spread of the disease. As we deal with COVID-19 and its impact on our nation’s economy, America must ensure that we continue to attract the world’s brightest and best researchers, innovators, and scientists to drive scientific discovery and the economic innovation and job growth that discovery bring.
The H1-B and H-4 visa programs that today’s executive order curtails have long allowed bright, hard-working individuals to come to America and contribute to our nation’s educational endeavors and scientific innovation. Depriving our nation of talent threatens, rather than safeguards, our nation’s health and economic security.
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Founded in 1900, the Association of American Universities is composed of America’s leading research universities. AAU’s 65 research universities transform lives through education, research, and innovation.
Our member universities earn the majority of competitively awarded federal funding for research that improves public health, seeks to address national challenges, and contributes significantly to our economic strength, while educating and training tomorrow’s visionary leaders and innovators.
AAU member universities collectively help shape policy for higher education, science, and innovation; promote best practices in undergraduate and graduate education; and strengthen the contributions of leading research universities to American society.