BUSSW Dean Steketee Releases Statement on Immigration Executive Order

Our School of Social Work stands in solidarity with those caught in the crossfires of the United States President’s recent Executive Order restricting entry into the United States and blocking resettlement programs for people from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. These actions are inconsistent with our social work values, our Code of Ethics, and the standards of our profession. 

This past Sunday, Boston University President Robert Brown issued a statement to the entire BU community describing the Executive Order as, “fundamentally inconsistent with the values that are the bedrock of Boston University and, indeed, of our pluralistic, welcoming society.” Please read his letter in full here. On Monday, January 30, University President Brown also published an op-ed detailing the potential impact of this Executive Order, “Trump’s Travel Ban Diminishes Our Nation,” in The Boston Globe.

Many of our community members, including students, part-time faculty, advisors, those at our field placement sites, alumni, and families are affected by these new unjust policies–whether through travel restrictions, inability to seek safety, or fear and anxiety about themselves and their loved ones. Our community is here to support you however we can. 

I invite BUSSW students in all of our programs to reach out to Director of Student Services Cate Solomon with any questions or concerns about student resources and supports. Available campus resources include the International Students & Scholars Office and the Global Programs Office, which are monitoring ongoing developments.

In the days since the Executive Order, many members of our student body, alumni, faculty, staff and administrators have found ways big and small to resist, to speak up, to stand up, and to join in solidarity within members of our vibrant and diverse communities. I encourage you to continue to take action–call and write your legislators, participate in organized marches or rallies and/or other social action activities in your communities and make your voices heard.

Following our NASW Code of Ethics, our community can continue to “engage in social and political action,” to “advocate for changes in policy and legislation to improve social justice”, and to “encourage respect for cultural and social diversity within the United States and globally.” This is critical to our mission and our practice–it is inspiring to see that so many of you are already taking action. 

As social justice leaders, I am confident that you will continue your work on behalf of equity and social justice for all. Please reach out to us, let us know what you are doing and how we can best support our entire community as we continue to move forward.