The Graduate Student Senate signed an initiative statement in opposition of the recent immigration executive order signed by President Trump.

Ohio University GSS wrote and shared the initiative with other Ohio GSS bodies.

“The policy has real and negative impacts, both at the national level and, more importantly, in our own communities,” the statement read.

However, on Friday, a federal judge in Washington state issued an order blocking Trump’s executive order.  

According to Marcia Salazar-Valentine, the executive director of international programs and partnerships, there are 21 students currently enrolled at the University from the seven countries included in the travel ban.

The statement also states a U.S. citizen has never been killed on American soil by a citizen from any of the seven countries included in the 90-day travel ban.

Four other GSS bodies already endorsed the statement before the University’s GSS voted to do so as well.

The statement is meant to appeal to government representatives at the local, state and federal levels.

“Only acting in concert and unity with all our friends, both domestic and international, will we be able to fight the influences that threaten our freedom, and continue fulfilling the great promise of this nation,” GSS President Amira Hassnaoui read aloud from the statement.

No GSS senator opposed the endorsement on Friday and only two abstained.

Salazar-Valentine also spoke with and answered questions from the GSS body.

In addition to disclosing the number of students directly affected by the recent travel ban, Salazar-Valentine reiterated the University’s advice for those students to not leave the country for the time being.

“If you choose to leave the country, you will not be able to come back,” she said.

This is true despite the 21 students having the proper visas to have come to the United States to study in the first place.

The University and Salazar-Valentine’s office are also working closely with all international students to answer any questions that continue to arise as new federal acts are created.

Salazar-Valentine’s office has walk-in hours and students can also email any questions or concerns to [email protected].  

Within the webpage for the office of International Programs and Partnerships there is now a page dedicated to updates in the federal immigration policies.

The International Programs and Partnerships office is also partnering with the Counseling Center. Last week, a counseling session was held for international students who wanted to share their fears or concerns with one another.

“We had a very small turn out, but it’s okay,” Salazar-Valentine said. “If we help one student to listen to their concerns or fears then we have done our job.”