AST Statement on President Trump's Executive Order on Immigration

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

AST (American Society of Transplantation) issued the following statement regarding President Trump’s executive order on immigration:

The American Society of Transplantation, representing a majority of the nation's professionals engaged in the field of solid organ transplantation, chooses not to comment on most political issues. However, the Society has signed on to a coalition letter with more than 50 scientific, medical, and educational organizations in response to the recent Immigration Executive Order that restricts admission to the United States. The letter expresses concern for this policy and its potential to significantly impact the fields of science and medicine. Similar to many of the other organizations, a number of AST members were born outside the United States and may be directly affected by this policy. Restricting visitors and legal U.S. residents from returning to the United States not only impacts our members and their patients, but also has the potential to stall scientific advances in the field of transplantation.

This letter was originally submitted to the Trump administration on February 1, 2017, but signatures continue to be added as concern within the scientific community grows.