To the Case Western Reserve University community,
As the semester comes to a close today, I write to first thank all in our community for their continued commitment to Case Western Reserve University and our mission. Throughout this year, we have experienced a number of changes that have affected our operations and our people; through it all, I’ve been exceptionally proud to see how each of you have approached these challenges with understanding and caring for our community.
Following a White House proclamation yesterday to expand full and partial travel bans to nationals of 20 additional countries, I wanted to provide an update and recommendations on this proclamation, especially to our international community members.
Before I get into the details, I want to reiterate what I have long said: Our international students, faculty, staff and postdocs are and will continue to be essential members of the Case Western Reserve community. We are grateful for all that they bring to this university.
As background, this new proclamation bans entry to the U.S. of those individuals from Burkina Faso, Laos, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Syria and those with any travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority. In addition, a partial travel ban (immigrants and nonimmigrants seeking B, F, M, or J visas) has been expanded to those from Angola, Antigua & Barbuda, Benin, Cote d'Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
These full and partial bans follow a June proclamation fully banning individuals from a number of other countries.
While individuals who are in the U.S. or who possess a valid visa as of Jan. 1, 2026, are exempt from the new travel ban, the VISA Office recommends individuals from these countries refrain from international travel if possible. In addition, the office strongly encourages nationals of newly designated countries who are outside the U.S. to consider returning before Jan. 1 at 12:01 a.m. ET.
Please know that the intricacies of this situation are more complex than what’s listed in this email; I strongly encourage anyone who may be impacted by this measure to visit the VISA Office website or contact the VISA Office directly at visa@case.edu or 216.368.6964. Information about walk-in and scheduled appointments is available at case.edu/visa. We are here to help you.
Thank you again for your continued support of all of our community members. I wish each of you a restorative winter break.
Sincerely,
Eric W. Kaler
President