Campuses rally behind students affected by immigration order

Colleges ranging from Purdue University — headed by a former Republican governor of Indiana, Mitch Daniels — to traditionally liberal hotbeds, like the University of California system, have issued statements criticizing the executive order and reassuring students they’re welcome on campus.

The statements also serve to signal to the international community that American colleges are still welcoming spaces for students from around the world, said Peter McPherson, the president of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities.

“International scholars and students are very important for higher education,” he said. “Our institutions and our whole country are a very vibrant place in part because we have these very excellent people from around the world.”