Iranian student returns to UB campus

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The University at Buffalo is pleased to announce that the student who had been delayed in Iran under the Jan. 27 immigration executive order has returned to Buffalo and will resume his studies this week at UB.

His return today was made possible when a federal judge in Seattle last week temporarily blocked the week-old immigration order from being enforced nationwide.

A master’s degree student in UB’s School of Architecture and Planning, he is finishing up his final semester at UB before graduation in May.  He is one of 107 Iranian students enrolled at UB under the student visa program.   

As the university begins its second week of classes this semester, university officials have been in touch with all 112 students affected by executive order restricting travel from seven predominantly Muslim countries.  All of the students have begun classes at the university.

In addition, all 20 faculty, staff and visiting scholars affected by the immigration order are accounted for and have resumed their duties at the university.  The university is hopeful that a postdoctoral researcher from Iran who is awaiting a visa will soon be granted one and will join the university community.

As a federal court considers reinstating the restrictions that block travel from seven countries cited in Jan. 27 executive order, UB will continue to update the university community on the situation through the website, www.buffalo.edu/immigration-update.

“We are very pleased that our student was able to return from Iran in time to begin his final semester at UB and stay on track to finish his degree,” said Stephen Dunnett, vice provost for international education.  “Making this happen was a team effort, and we are grateful to our colleagues in the School of Architecture and Planning, International Student and Scholar Services, and the Law School for their perseverance in assisting our student to return to UB, despite multiple impediments.

“It is gratifying to know that we now have all of the students we expected to enroll from the seven affected countries. They should know that the university welcomes them and is committed to support their success at UB.”