Will the international travel ban effect any FRC teams?

[Jon Stratis]

Originally Posted by Tsukunea

Your sympathy seems pretty half. You can do something, everybody can. Teams should stand up for each other.

Everyone is limited in what they can do based on the demands already placed on them. I did what I could in November, but it apparently didn't matter. I do what I can to support groups with causes I believe in, which includes donating over 600 hours of my time and thousands of dollars every year to FIRST. Wishing there was something I could do for a hypothetical team halfway across the world isn't"half" - it's simply saying that there's nothing I can actually do to help them in this situation. I can't smuggle them into the country. I can't countermand an executive order. I'm not personally harmed by the order, so I have no grounds to take the issue to court. My state Senators and my congressional district representative have already come out publicly against the ban, so calling them for action isn't going to do any good.

Exactly what is it you think I'm supposed to do? What is it you think I actually CAN do?

[I_AM_Clayton]

Originally Posted by mrnoble

This topic has the potential to explode into politics, but we are in an extraordinary time. My team includes undocumented students and middle-eastern immigrants, and there is legitimate concern about travel plans, since we intend to fly to Utah and Houston. We may have to divide the team up into flyers and drivers based on nation of origin. As the President would say, SAD.

Your teams situation in addition to the multitude of political issues affecting FIRST globally sounds like an exciting and inspirational idea for a sequel to The New Cool.

Originally Posted by MooreteP

This will have a more profound effect on FLL teams.

I believe FLL will take the largest hit as a result of the ban . I hope the FIRST blog covers this, (I hope FIRST addresses this formally before champs).

Originally Posted by lurker

The 90 day ban does extend until world champs. The first day of St. Louis (April 26) is 88 days after the ban (assuming effective Jan 28). So the ban extends to all of Houston champs and until the very last day of St. Louis.

The reason why I know this is because I'm a dual citizen of Canada and Iran so when this news broke I thought I wasn't going to be able to attend champs. But it was later announced that Canadian dual citizens would not be effected so at least there's that.

Thankfully, no countries that are home to any FRC teams are on the ban list so I don't think we'll see a case where a whole team is unable to go because of the ban.

Thanks for the clarification on the effect on champs, I hope FLL (or any other progression of FIRST) teams in those countries will be able to attend champs . I'm also glad that you will still be able to attend champs! I'm glad that no full FRC teams will be effected in travel because of the ban this season but, I hope that if and when FRC expands to those places that they will be given the respect and right to compete that they deserve.

[Hallry]

Originally Posted by mrnoble

This topic has the potential to explode into politics, but we are in an extraordinary time.

I've been keeping a close eye on this thread in case it needs to be closed, but I'm very glad to see that the conversation so far has been constructive rather than political bickering.

[mathking]

Originally Posted by lurker

It's been officially stated that Canadian dual citizens will not be effected by the ban so I should be fine.

That has been officially stated, however the actual wording of the executive order is not the same as that pronouncement. There have already been (specifically) Canadian - Iranian dual citizens not allowed entry to the U.S. So plan ahead.

[Monochron]

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

What is it you think I actually CAN do?

Join the protests. Contact your Representatives and your Senators by email as well as by phone urging them specifically to take tangible action against this.

[jee7s]

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

Exactly what is it you think I'm supposed to do? What is it you think I actually CAN do?

I know this quote above was written somewhat rhetorically by Jon, but for those who read his post and are wondering what to actually do...

If you feel passionate about this topic, given the structure of our laws and the nature of visas, the best opportunity may be to approach this like the Olympics. Draw attention to the specific nature of the event for those specific individuals and plea for an exception in this case. Making it a general argument about the policy, as others here seem to suggest, is likely fruitless. Making it specific about the event, the culture and spirit of the competition, and keeping it specific to the teams involved is the most likely path to success.

Think of it in terms of the exceptions to such rules made during the cold war when the various teams from East and West would still compete against each other in the Olympics.

A rational, kind, professional, well worded, and appreciative letter to the federal government officials you feel are most likely to influence the situation is your best bet.

[jaredhk]

Originally Posted by Tsukunea

FIRST is about having a level playing field, and if the playing field will not be level, we need to all work to make it level.

Originally Posted by Hitchhiker 42

Doesn't mean we shouldn't try to help those teams affected in some way. Just because the playing field is a little uneven doesn't mean that we should just make it even more uneven.

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

Everyone is limited in what they can do based on the demands already placed on them.

Exactly what is it you think I'm supposed to do? What is it you think I actually CAN do?

Originally Posted by Monochron

Join the protests. Contact your Representatives and your Senators by email as well as by phone urging them specifically to take tangible action against this.

For those who participated in the Invisible Inequities Diversity and Inclusion Module, this is the exact concept discussed. I highly recommend it to those who have not yet.

To be brief, equality discusses giving everyone the same tools to succeed. On the other hand, equity is providing people will the tools they need to be on a level playing field. An example from the module is that you may need to provide transportation options to someone in a low income area/with working parents/etc whereas you do not have to provide the same options to others for them to have a level playing field and equal shot.

Here is a message from Shelley Henderson (Diversity and Inclusion Manager, FIRST):

Originally Posted by Shelley Henderson

Leveling the playing field in our current political climate will require strategic, highly visible intolerance on the part of allies of any bias-motivated identity-based intolerance. We also have to be proactive.

[Jon Stratis]

Originally Posted by Monochron

Join the protests. Contact your Representatives and your Senators by email as well as by phone urging them specifically to take tangible action against this.

Joining the protests... I'm at work by 8AM every day, heading to my team's build space when I get out, and don't get home until 9PM. When, exactly, am I supposed to join a protest? On the one day a week I actually spend at home taking care of my own needs?

My Representative and Senators are already taking action, adding my voice to the chorus won't change anything they're doing (and if you're going to add your voice, call, don't e-mail. Call's have to be listened to by someone and make them pay attention. E-mail's just get tallied up and mostly ignored). Sure, if I had different congressional representation calling them may have an impact. That's what you do when your Representative or Senator is not representing your point of view on an issue. But when they already are... then what? I've seen lists of Senators opposing the ban, and it includes over half of the Senate! That's half of the US right there that won't benefit from calling their Senator. There are more borderline issues where calling in is invaluable. Issues where calling in may actually help sway your senator. I really don't think this is one of them.

For many people, "taking action" just isn't that simple. There are real world considerations and personal commitments that prevent a lot of people from getting involved as they may like to, especially when it's something relatively quick or surprising. Some things, like the recent Women's March, get planned significantly in advance, allowing people to adjust their own schedules if they feel strongly about it. This, however, popped up overnight and is less than a week old. No room to adjust schedules!

[jaredhk]

Everyone takes action in their own way. You can donate (5 minutes), call a legislator (15 mins), or anything in between. I recommend any of these articles:

• Huffington Post: 10 Concrete Ways To Take Action Against The Muslim Ban
• Rolling Stone: How to Take Action – and Stay Sane – in the Trump Era
• Mashable: 4 positive ways to take action after Trump's victory

...and there are many more.

I don't mean this to call out anyone's politics but I am simply trying to provide information on many options to take a stand - on whatever it is you believe in fighting for.

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

Joining the protests... I'm at work by 8AM every day, heading to my team's build space when I get out, and don't get home until 9PM. When, exactly, am I supposed to join a protest? On the one day a week I actually spend at home taking care of my own needs?

My Representative and Senators are already taking action, adding my voice to the chorus won't change anything they're doing (and if you're going to add your voice, call, don't e-mail. Call's have to be listened to by someone and make them pay attention. E-mail's just get tallied up and mostly ignored). Sure, if I had different congressional representation calling them may have an impact. That's what you do when your Representative or Senator is not representing your point of view on an issue. But when they already are... then what? I've seen lists of Senators opposing the ban, and it includes over half of the Senate! That's half of the US right there that won't benefit from calling their Senator. There are more borderline issues where calling in is invaluable. Issues where calling in may actually help sway your senator. I really don't think this is one of them.

For many people, "taking action" just isn't that simple. There are real world considerations and personal commitments that prevent a lot of people from getting involved as they may like to, especially when it's something relatively quick or surprising. Some things, like the recent Women's March, get planned significantly in advance, allowing people to adjust their own schedules if they feel strongly about it. This, however, popped up overnight and is less than a week old. No room to adjust schedules!

[Monochron]

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

Joining the protests... I'm at work by 8AM every day, heading to my team's build space when I get out, and don't get home until 9PM. When, exactly, am I supposed to join a protest? On the one day a week I actually spend at home taking care of my own needs?

Protests where I am happen outside of work hours (and on weekends). As protest locations are everywhere from government buildings to airports, times are flexible. Of course, it may not be the same for everyone, and everyone's schedule is different, so I understand not being able to participate. It's all about priorities.

My Representative and Senators are already taking action ... I've seen lists of Senators opposing the ban, and it includes over half of the Senate! That's half of the US right there that won't benefit from calling their Senator.

That's great news! Previous you just said that they had spoken out against it, which isn't all that much action.
In what ways are those Senators taking action though? I have only seen a handful of Congressmen taking actual action further than voicing their own disapproval. Calling congressmen who have simply voiced their disapproval can absolutely make a big difference.

[Jon Stratis]

Originally Posted by Monochron

That's great news! Previous you just said that they had spoken out against it, which isn't all that much action.
In what ways are those Senators taking action though? I have only seen a handful of Congressmen taking actual action further than voicing their own disapproval. Calling congressmen who have simply voiced their disapproval can absolutely make a big difference.

So far press conferences and talking with refugees in the state (interesting fact, MN has the largest Somali population in the US), for the most part. Our state's Attorney General has also pledged support for any immigrants in the state affected by the ban (as have around 15 other State Attorney General's around the US). That's what they've personally done that's made the news. There are efforts within the Senate in the news that just apply the broad labels of "Democrats" and "Republicans", maybe referencing the party leaders, that I'm sure they are involved with.

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by MooreteP

This will have a more profound effect on FLL teams.

About 2006, there was a coach of an FLL team from Jordan who could not get a visa, for whatever reason. The team couldn't attend World Festival. They were awarded a Judges' Award.

[jaredhk]

Originally Posted by GaryVoshol

About 2006, there was a coach of an FLL team from Jordan who could not get a visa, for whatever reason. The team couldn't attend World Festival. They were awarded a Judges' Award.

In 2016, the Jordanian team was very small, for a similar reason, if I recall.

[Whatever]

Originally Posted by GaryVoshol

About 2006, there was a coach of an FLL team from Jordan who could not get a visa, for whatever reason. The team couldn't attend World Festival. They were awarded a Judges' Award.

In 2004 my dad and brother competed in a non-FIRST robot competition in Saskatoon Canada. Two teams from a university in Iran had registered because they were unable to get into the US for any competitions here. They got to the event but Canadian customs impounded their robots until after the event was done.

[PayneTrain]

Maybe such an action will, in a weird and gross way, get FIRST to end the perpetual shafting of its worldwide program, FIRST Lego League by highlighting/uplifting some of the Open Championships that I believe occur in the late spring in places inside and outside of the United States.

I won't go into heavy details, but 422 comes from the Maggie L. Walker Governor's School for Government and International Studies, which is a very politically active public school. We have relationships with representatives at all levels that we stay in touch with. We are definitely keeping our eyes out for an official date for the March for Science. When going through the public school system, I could feel that we were entering interesting times. As I finish my undergrad, I enter the world with the confirmation that we have many challenges that we will have to face as a combined people, and I hope the skills we foster through our team help the kids we mentor face those challenges as well.