| GSC Statement Freedom to Travel for All Stanford Graduate Students |
|
The Graduate Student Council (GSC) at Stanford University believes that students of diverse backgrounds make significant contributions to the professional relationships and academic endeavors central to Stanford University. To this end, the GSC supports the Stanford graduate students in their efforts towards reducing barriers that compromise students' freedom to travel based on their nationality. As detailed in the accompanying letters, currently it is practically impossible for students from seven select nations (Iran, Iraq, Cuba, Libya, North Korea, Syria and Sudan) to travel outside the United States in the case of a family emergency, to attend a conference, or simply to take a vacation. Long delays due to the visa obtention procedures will impede students from subsequently returning to their studies within reasonable time frames. Additionally, section 306 of a recently passed law, the "Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act," will severely limit the attainment of visas for nationals of the above-mentioned countries if not fairly implemented. We, the GSC, request that measures be put in place so that, while ensuring the security of the United States, students who are already part of the Stanford community may have the opportunity to obtain re-entry visas in advance of their travels abroad. We support any effort that will attract the best students in the world to Stanford University and maintain the university's reputation for quality and diversity amongst its graduate student population. Therefore, we support proposals for renewing student visas from within the United States as detailed in the attached document. In addition, we would like a fair and just implementation of section 306 of the "Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act" to ensure that Stanford's vital international student community continues to enrich the University's tradition of cultural diversity. Additional Information From the Stanford Persian Student Association |
| Next > |
|---|
