Letter from Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., to Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad F. Wolf | News | Notre Dame News | University of Notre Dame Skip To Content Skip To Navigation Skip To Search University of Notre Dame Notre Dame News Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Home Contact Search Menu Home › News › Letter from Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., to Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad F. Wolf Letter from Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., to Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad F. Wolf Published: July 09, 2020 Author: Notre Dame News University Seal The Honorable Chad F. Wolf Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Washington, DC 20528 July 8, 2020   Dear Secretary Wolf: While the University of Notre Dame is not immediately affected by your proposed policy of deporting foreign students unable to find in-person alternatives when universities implement online instruction only, I am concerned about our government’s inhospitable, even hostile, approach toward visiting students and scholars who enrich our own learning and cultural environments. Having already overcome the hurdles of being accepted to an American university, and authorized to travel and live here, foreign students now have to grapple with the uncertainty of being expelled from the country simply because of the way instruction is delivered. Notre Dame enrolls about 1,400 international students each year. In March, when Notre Dame ceased in-classroom instruction because of the pandemic, over 100 foreign students were stranded on campus because of restrictions on air travel to certain countries and other impediments. I’m proud of the fact that Notre Dame accommodated every one of them. These students are an essential part of our campus community. They make lifelong friends here. They become future colleagues of faculty and alumni. We embrace our visitors. We don’t chase them away. No harm and much good would result if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) took a similar approach. After all, they were already vetted before their entry into the United States. In addition, the presence of international students on American campuses is a major ingredient in the success of local economies and the nation’s overall fiscal health. It is estimated that a 25% decline in international student enrollment this fall would result in a loss of approximately $10 billion and 114,000 jobs. The Department of Homeland Security, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in particular, has its hands full already in securing our borders and intercepting contraband without engaging in the dubious practice of revoking the visas of foreign students who pose no threat. Respectfully, I ask that this course be abandoned and allow universities to be good neighbors and gracious hosts to our visitors from abroad.   Sincerely, Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C. President Posted In: University News Home Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Related October 03, 2022 Congresswoman Liz Cheney to speak at Notre Dame on the future of democracy September 22, 2022 In memoriam: Rev. Richard Warner, C.S.C., longtime leader for Notre Dame, Congregation of Holy Cross September 22, 2022 ND Forum keynote event to feature Emmy Award-winning actors in Theater of War Productions’ presentation of ‘The Suppliants’ in Notre Dame Stadium September 21, 2022 In annual address to faculty, Father Jenkins outlines campus-wide vision for elevating excellence September 15, 2022 Lilly Endowment Inc. grant helps to expand Notre Dame pre-college programs for Hoosier high school students For the Media Contact Office of Public Affairs and Communications Notre Dame News 500 Grace Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Pinterest © 2022 University of Notre Dame Search Mobile App News Events Visit Accessibility Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn