The recent targeted travel ban on southern African countries due to the omicron variant disproportionately affects international students from these countries. An exemption for students should be implemented.

There are thousands of students studying in the US from these countries. Many students had planned to return home for the winter break. They are now being forced to choose between going home to see family or staying to prevent their studies from being disrupted. These students will be stuck on campuses across the country while all other students are able to go home, including international students from countries where the omicron variant has been detected and where community transmission is now evident. Is there any greater risk in allowing southern African students back into the US than these students? 

There are also many students who intend to start their studies at US schools/colleges in January. They now face tremendous uncertainty about whether they will be able to do so. 

The travel ban was implemented in an attempt to slow the spread of omicron and allow time to prepare for it. There is now community transmission in most states in the US. Is there still a justification for the targeted travel ban?

The travel ban has caused great uncertainty and pain for the students and families affected by it. While there may be justification for keeping it in place, we urge the President to consider exempting students from the travel ban. It will allow students to travel home without the uncertainty of being unable to return to continue their studies. It will allow families to be reunited who may not have seen each other in two or more years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please consider supporting the thousands of students affected by this travel ban by signing this petition.