David Garland: Response to Executive Order on Immigration

Dear Baylor Family:

We at Baylor University are committed through our Christian convictions to practices that support hospitality, community, respect and the open exchanges of ideas across our world. Baylor is proud to host more than 800 students and scholars from more than 70 countries and to be served by faculty and staff who hail from countries worldwide. As a university, we recognize that cross-national efforts are vital to academic advancement, cultural appreciation and educational development that lead to mutual understanding within the global community.

As most of you know, an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Friday restricts the entry of individuals from seven countries (Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen) into the United States. While immigration laws are understandably complex and inextricably tied to national security, changes in policies and practices as a result of the executive order may affect members of our Baylor community.

We have members of our community from some of these identified countries and others who have significant ties to them. Our Center for Global Engagement staff worked over the weekend to make personal contact with these individuals. We will follow the situation closely and will provide guidance, support and encouragement to those students, staff and faculty within the Baylor Family who are impacted directly.

Until further notice, we advise any student, faculty or staff member from a country specified in the order to consult with our Center for Global Engagement before traveling outside the United States.

Let us, as a community, be committed to the grace, compassion and wisdom of our faith, even as we also honor concerns for security and safety. We will be guided by these commitments as we work through the executive order and its impact on our community.

Grace and Peace,

David E. Garland, Interim President
L. Gregory Jones, Executive Vice President and Provost
Kevin P. Jackson, Vice President for Student Life
Jeffrey S. Hamilton, Vice Provost for Global Engagement