The Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP) is one of 170 scientific organizations and academic institutions that recently signed onto a letter urging President Trump to rescind the January, 27, Executive Order temporarily barring citizens from seven countries from entering the United States.

“As a scientific organization representing social and personality psychologists from around the world, we understand the importance of international collaboration and access,” said SPSP Executive Director Chad Rummel. “Creating barriers blocks scientific progress, and progress for humanity.”

As noted in the letter, the scientific and academic community is “deeply concerned that this Executive Order will have a negative impact on the ability of scientists and engineers in industry and academia to enter, or leave from and return to, the United States.”

“In order to remain the world leader in advancing scientific knowledge and innovations, the U.S. science and technology enterprise must continue to capitalize on the international and multicultural environment within which it operates,” the letter states.

The order, “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States,” bans citizens of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen from entering the country over the next four months. The order has been temporarily suspended, pending legal appeals and challenges.