On Friday, Jan. 27, 2017, President Trump signed an executive order that resulted in the immediate suspension of immigration for persons from seven countries (Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Yemen, Libya, and Somalia), all of which are countries where the majority of residents are of the Islamic faith. The National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) Board of Directors and Inclusion and Diversity Committee are deeply concerned about this executive order on immigration, as it runs counter to our values of inclusion and diversity and threatens to separate and bring harm to families around the world. We support refugee families seeking safe harbor in the United States and globally, and we acknowledge and value the contributions to family research and practice made by countless immigrants—our members, colleagues, faculty, students, staff, and the families we are privileged to serve.

NCFR represents researchers and practitioners who study and meet the needs of families in North America and across the world.  In particular, many of our members study and treat family stress and trauma associated with displacement due to war and other causes.  Top family scholars from throughout the world are members of the National Council on Family Relations.  Having these professionals from around the world able to work together is important.  People who know the circumstances in the countries involved are needed in this research.  Blocking Islamic scientists, students, practitioners, and their families from returning to their research, study, and work does nothing to protect us from future attacks. 

Resources for Families and Family Science Professionals

As an organization focused on promoting family welfare, we want to offer the following resources to families and the professionals working with families who have been negatively impacted by this executive order.

American Immigration Lawyers Association

Immigration Legal Resource Center

American Civil Liberties Union: Immigrants’ rights

Southern Poverty Law Center: Immigrant Justice

International Rescue Committee

American Psychological Association: Immigration Report

Bridging Refugee Youth & Children's Services

Important change to Executive Order on Green Card Holders 

Resources for Faculty Members and University Administrators

We also want to offer resources to our colleagues who are supporting international students impacted by this ban as well as to university administrators who are supporting faculty, students, and staff from the seven restricted countries. During this time, our international students and colleagues in general, and those from the affected countries in particular, are likely to need extra support from us. Many of these immigrants and their families are justifiably fearful of what this may mean for them in the future, and they may lack sources of support outside of their communities to face these challenges.

How Universities are responding to the Executive Order

Thoughts on how university personnel can help immigrant students.

Academics against Immigration Executive Order

Finally, while NCFR has a unique contribution to make in offering a statement on this executive order given our focus on families, we also want to acknowledge the statements by other groups who have responded to this ban on refugees:

American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

American Sociological Association

American Association of University Professors

American Family Therapy Academy

American Mathematical Society