21 Feb 2017
American Institute of Architects speaks out against US immigration and visa restrictions
BY Kim Megson
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has indirectly criticised US president Donald Trump for his attempts to suspend immigration to the US from seven Muslim-majority countries, stating that such restrictions “negatively impact business and the profession of architecture.”
The organisation – whose leadership previously had to release an apology after vowing to work closely with the Trump administration – has now released a strongly-worded statement outlining its view that “people from around the world who desire to live, study, work and travel to and from the United States are vital to American growth and innovation.”
It called for "fair and impartial immigration policies" and expressed "deep concern about policies that restrict immigration from specific countries or regions based on overly broad factors, including religion."
AIA president Thomas Vonier said: "Beyond the essential considerations of fairness and equity, restrictions targeting specific areas of the world can have profoundly negative business impacts. Professional service exports are a key contributor to AIA member firms and their earnings. In fact, the entire international building development, design and construction sector relies heavily on reciprocal treatment and on the fair and ethical ability to travel, reside and work across national boundaries.”
In its statement, the institute vowed to uphold the seven following principles:
• All people everywhere must be treated fairly and with dignity and respect.
• Immigration policy must ensure our visa system welcomes individuals who want to contribute to society and stops those who seek to harm us.
• Architecture is a global profession. Immigration and travel restrictions can disrupt the business of many of our nation’s architectural firms that serve clients and employ staff in and from the countries targeted by the restrictions.
• Architecture firms and many other businesses must have the ability to attract and retain highly qualified and skilled talent from within and outside the US to remain competitive and meet demand.
• Freedom to travel without unnecessary restrictions enhances our ability to create and pursue business wherever opportunities exist, and to better serve our clients. Strong businesses create jobs that contribute to the health of the US and global economy.
• Exposure to global perspectives on the built environment is an essential part of architecture and architectural education in the US, and immigrants, colleagues, students and faculty from around the world contribute significantly to this character.
• Societies everywhere benefit from the ability of architects of all nationalities to collaborate.
Summarising its statement, the AIA commented: “The profession and the broader industry benefit from a visa and immigration process that is uniform, transparent and free from arbitrary implementation.”
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