February 2, 2017
President Donald J. Trump
The White House
United States of America
Dear President Trump:
We write as presidents of leading American colleges and universities to urge you to
rectify or rescind the recent executive order closing our countrys borders to immigrants and
others from seven majority-Muslim countries and to refugees from throughout the world. If left
in place, the order threatens both American higher education and the defining principles of our
country.
The order specifically prevents talented, law-abiding students and scholars from the
affected regions from reaching our campuses. American higher education has benefited
tremendously from this countrys long history of embracing immigrants from around the world.
Their innovations and scholarship have enhanced American learning, added to our prosperity,
and enriched our culture. Many who have returned to their own countries have taken with them
the values that are the lifeblood of our democracy. Americas educational, scientific, economic,
and artistic leadership depends upon our continued ability to attract the extraordinary people who
for many generations have come to this country in search of freedom and a better life.
This action unfairly targets seven predominantly Muslim countries in a manner
inconsistent with Americas best principles and greatest traditions. We welcome outstanding
Muslim students and scholars from the United States and abroad, including the many who come
from the seven affected countries. Their vibrant contributions to our institutions and our country
exemplify the value of the religious diversity that has been a hallmark of American freedom
since this countrys founding. The American dream depends on continued fidelity to that value.
We recognize and respect the need to protect Americas security. The vetting procedures
already in place are rigorous. Improvements to them should be based on evidence, calibrated to
real risks, and consistent with constitutional principle.
Throughout its history America has been a land of opportunity and a beacon of freedom
in the world. It has attracted talented people to our shores and inspired people around the globe.
This executive order is dimming the lamp of liberty and staining the countrys reputation. We
respectfully urge you to rectify the damage done by this order.
Sincerely,
Robert L. Barchi Kimberly W. Benston
President President
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Haverford College
Joanne Berger-Sweeney George Blumenthal
President Chancellor
Trinity College University of California, Santa Cruz
Lee C. Bollinger Richard H. Brodhead
President President
Columbia University Duke University
Robert A. Brown Kimberly Wright Cassidy
President President
Boston University Bryn Mawr College
Ronald J. Daniels John J. DeGioia
President President
Johns Hopkins University Georgetown University
Nicholas B. Dirks Christopher L. Eisgruber
Chancellor President
University of California, Berkeley Princeton University
Adam F. Falk Drew Gilpin Faust
President President
Williams College Harvard University
Patrick Gallagher Howard Gillman
Chancellor Chancellor
University of Pittsburgh University of California, Irvine
Amy Gutmann Andrew Hamilton
President President
University of Pennsylvania New York University
Philip J. Hanlon Sam Hawgood, MBBS
President Chancellor
Dartmouth College University of California, San Francisco
Ralph J. Hexter Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.
Interim Chancellor President
University of California, Davis University of Notre Dame
Pradeep K. Khosla Marvin Krislov
Chancellor President
University of California, San Diego Oberlin College
David W. Leebron Ron Liebowitz
President President
Rice University Brandeis University
Wallace D. Loh Anthony P. Monaco
President President
University of Maryland, College Park Tufts University
David Oxtoby Christina H. Paxson
President President
Pomona College Brown University
Daniel R. Porterfield, Ph.D. Carol Quillen
President President
Franklin & Marshall College Davidson College
Hunter R. Rawlings III Clayton Rose
Interim President President
Cornell University Bowdoin College
Peter Salovey Michael H. Schill
President President
Yale University University of Oregon
Mark Schlissel M.D., Ph.D. Valerie Smith
President President
University of Michigan Swarthmore College
Barbara R. Snyder Debora L. Spar
President President
Case Western Reserve University Barnard College
Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D. Sonya Stephens
President Acting President
Stony Brook University Mount Holyoke College
Claire E. Sterk Marc Tessier-Lavigne
President President
Emory University Stanford University
Satish K. Tripathi Mark S. Wrighton
President Chancellor
University at Buffalo Washington University in St. Louis
Henry T. Yang Nicholas S. Zeppos
Chancellor Chancellor
University of California, Santa Barbara Vanderbilt University
