Paul Klotman, MD, president, CEO and executive dean of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, said "dozens" of faculty, researchers and students of the school are affected by President Donald Trump's immigration ban, according to Chron.
President Trump's order, which he signed Jan. 27, temporarily bans travel to the U.S. by citizens of seven Middle Eastern countries, including Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days. The rule also suspends the entire U.S. refugee admissions system for 120 days and the Syrian refugee program indefinitely, according to The Guardian.
"We, as a global research institution, have lots of people from all over the world," Dr. Klotman said in an interview Monday. "This whole thing has been a giant, messy distraction."
Dr. Klotman said it is not yet known if there are any Baylor Medical School students or faculty who had been planning to come to Houston to begin a job or education at the organization but have been blocked because of the ban. However, he said he wouldn't be surprised if this were the case, according to the report.
"We get the best and the brightest from these countries," said Dr. Klotman, according to the report. "This is the last thing they need."
Dr. Klotman's office on Sunday sent an organizationwide memo saying it was working to understand the new policy and the effects of the federal judge's ruling staying the order, Chron reported.
"There likely will continue to be changes in this policy over the coming days and weeks which is why it is important for us to carefully monitor the political and legal issues while providing support to all members of the Baylor community. If anyone potentially affected by the order is scheduled to leave the county on business, please contact the Office of the General Counsel for guidance," the emailed memo said, according to the report.
As for the searing backlash the policy received immediately following its announcement, Dr. Klotman, as a CEO, said there should have been more consideration of the potential fallout, according to the report.
"It was done like an amateur," he said.