A statement from Champalimaud Research published this week on the United States’ immigration ban said that the faculty of Champalimaud Research “are deeply troubled by recent reports of scientists stranded abroad due to the recent US travel restrictions for citizens of Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Yemen, Syria, Libya, and Sudan
“We encourage scientists affected by this order who may be stranded in Europe to contact us. We will make every effort to accommodate your needs here at the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown in Lisbon, Portugal.”
Champalimaud Research is a community of international scientists that aims to help scientists reach their full creative potential by maximising cooperation, providing a hub for scientific interaction, and sharing knowledge within and beyond the scientific community.
The offer comes after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning entry for all refugees for a period of 120 days. The order also affected nationals and dual nationals from seven Muslim-majority countries for a period of 90 days.
This comes after the Portuguese government said it was “very concerned” about the ban, which it termed illegal from a European and Portuguese point of view.
“The Portuguese government is very concerned,” about the measures imposed by the new US administration, the Portuguese Foreign Affairs minister, Augusto Santos Silva, was reported as saying by the Lusa News Agency, adding that Portugal and the European Union have “a very different visa policy,” to the decisions made by President Trump.
“It is inconceivable to deny the right of entry to people who have a residency permit for the country”, Minister Augusto Santos Silva said.
“In European terms it is absolutely illegal,” he said.