Statement by MassBio President & CEO Robert K. Coughlin on the Supreme Court’s Ruling to Uphold President Trump’s Immigration Ban Executive Order

Jun 28, 2018

Disease knows no borders and neither does scientific innovation. Sick people across the country and around the world cannot wait around for someone who shares the same skin color and beliefs as President Trump to develop the new therapies that will change their lives.

The immigration travel ban will deny life sciences companies the opportunity to hire the best and brightest regardless of their religious beliefs or country of origin. Moreover, it will not restrict immigration just from the seven countries outlined in the order. We already know from the first attempts at implementing this policy that it will also slow legal immigration from other countries because foreigners no longer feel welcome or safe in America.

Moreover, this policy threatens America’s position as the land of opportunity. Our nation’s success is because of immigrants. The life sciences industry thrives every day because of immigrants. With Europe and even China fighting to take our place as the leader of life sciences innovation, this policy opens the door wide for our country to lose out.

We at MassBio stand by to work with any of our member companies or employees that are facing uncertainty as a result of the Court’s decision. We have been communicating with our elected officials and the Massachusetts delegation and offer our help in finding solutions immediately and longer term.

We will continue to work with our partners in government to advocate for and advance policies that will allow the best and the brightest people from across the world to join our cluster.

            – Robert K. Coughlin 

 

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