Two Worcester Polytechnic Institute students who were legally in the United States are currently stuck outside of the country following President Donald Trump's ban, halting entry by people from seven predominantly Muslim countries.

A representative from Congressman James P. McGovern's office and Tom Thomsen, the director of the International Students Office at WPI, told a crowd gathered at the Worcester City Council meeting on Tuesday night that two Iranian students were traveling out of the U.S. when the ban was enacted on Friday.

"We know that at least two international students at WPI, one the holder of a valid student visa and the other a legal permanent resident of the United States, both of whom were unlucky enough to be traveling outside of the United States when this ban was hastily implemented," Kathleen Polanowicz read from a letter written by McGovern.

"Now, their ability to reenter the United States is in legal limbo and the high-level research that they were conducting on behalf of their university is on hold," she continued.

It was not clear where the two WPI students were located.

The group was gathered at City Hall for the council meeting because of a resolution proposed by Councilor Michael Gaffney, which asked his fellow council members to vote to declare that Worcester would not call itself a sanctuary city.

Councilors voted down the proposal. Prior to the vote, a group of nearly 1,000 rallied outside City Hall, showing support for immigrant and refugee rights and asking that Worcester be called a sanctuary city.

"We as a nation and as a city have an obligation to make clear to president Trump and to the residents here that an attack against the Muslim community is an attack against all of us and we will not stand for it," McGovern said.

McGovern also said that others affected by Trump's ban included an Iraqi man who worked as an interpreter for U.S. troops and an Irian scientist who had a fellowship to study cardiovascular medicine, both of whom had valid visas.

"This is, quite frankly, outrageous," McGovern's letter said. "There is no question that we all want to keep our country safe, but this is not the way to do it. President Trump's ban fans the flame of terrorist recruitment and provides fodder for anti-American propaganda. We cannot allow our country's most formidable values to be compromised."

Thomsen remarked on the benefits a diverse campus brings to WPI, saying that 25 percent of students there are not U.S. citizens and represent 85 countries.

Students there include people under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy and asylum seekers. Perspective from such students is critical to success, he said.

"At WPI, we have a very diverse student body and faculty, researchers from all over the world," said Thomsen, who told the council that he is also an immigrant, who came to Worcester in 1984.

"I can say that I greatly appreciate the fact that Worcester is a city welcoming to newcomers, visitors and students from all backgrounds and a city that values its cultural diversity," Thomsen said.

WPI President Laure Leshin addressed the ban in a statement released Monday and confirmed a student and postdoctoral fellow had been impacted.

"Currently, we are aware of one WPI graduate student and one postdoctoral fellow immediately impacted by the Executive Order, and we are doing all we can to support their rightful return to their studies and work here. In addition, we will provide guidance to our students, faculty and staff who may be impacted in the future by this action," she said.

Leshin called the ban a "direct conflict" with the values at WPI.

"I know that many in our community are feeling uncertain and vulnerable," Leshin said. "I want to stress to you that WPI greatly values each of our students, faculty, and staff--no matter their race, religion, or country of origin--and we remain fully committed to fostering and defending an inclusive environment in which all are able to do their best work."

Leshin's statement urged students and faculty from the affected countries to reconsider travel plans.