Joint Memo from IALSP & ICLASP - OUr Committment to you 

Dear IALSP members, conference presenters, and attendees,

The 19th International Conference on Language and Social Psychology (ICLASP19-Tucson) is set to convene from May 19-22, 2026 in Tucson, Arizona, USA. Maggie Pitts, ICLASP19 host and organizer, and the executive and graduate planning committees have been working hard to ensure another excellent conference welcoming of all people around the globe. 

As we approach the October 1st submission deadline, we are mindful of the current climate in the United States which has prompted concerns among some members of the IALSP community planning to attend. We want to acknowledge the uncertainty that some of you may be experiencing and emphasize that we value your input and perspectives.

IALSP is dedicated to promoting genuinely international and interdisciplinary dialogue where every member has the opportunity to engage openly and equitably and is treated with respect and dignity. We are aware that some recent developments and discourse within parts of the United States conflict with these commitments and IALSP principles. We want to assure you that ICLASP19 will continue to provide the open exchange of ideas and inclusive environment that have always defined our conferences. 

Moreover, IALSP continues to support the selection of Tucson, Arizona as the conference destination and Maggie Pitts as conference host and organizer. 

Travel Visa Requirements and Information

As always, we encourage conference attendees to start passport and visa processes early. Some travelers may be eligible for the Visa Waiver Program using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Please review guidelines here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html. You may find more general information regarding US travel visas here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas.html

Please note that none of the US policy changes so far affect B-1 visas, the US visa category for those attending conferences in the United States. The B-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows short-term business travel and is not the same as the H-1B visa that has been affected. It is also worth noting that most Executive Orders related to visas are being challenged in court, which effectively freezes their implementation.

What to Expect Traveling to Tucson 

We have received many enthusiastic emails from individuals excited to join us at ICLASP19. There are also a few members of the IALSP community who have expressed concerns about their comfort level with traveling to the United States. We understand this. We also believe that research, dialogue, and international connections—pillars of ICLASP—are necessary actions to ensure the continuation of scholarly, scientific, and creative pursuits that create a better world for our generation and those to come. Our collective presence is important. 

Tucson regularly hosts cultural events and conventions of attendees from all over the world without incident and does not have a politically charged environment. We do not anticipate any safety issues regarding attendance at ICLASP19 in Tucson.

Tucson is a unique city within the United States where we believe you will feel safe and welcomed. We encourage you to explore the history and culture of Tucson here: https://www.visittucson.org/, where you will learn, among other things, that the land that called Tucson has been continuously inhabited since at least 1200 BC by many cultural and linguistic groups. Their presence and cultural influence remain part of the vibrant city today and Tucsonans consider it their duty to welcome and celebrate others. Tucson is a pro-social, liberal city with a vibrant Latinx community and is home to the Tohono O’odham Nation and Pascua Yaqui Tribe. Tucson’s Mayor, Regina Romero, is the first Latina and first woman to serve as mayor and is deeply involved in making Tucson sustainable, equitable, accessible, and committed to celebrating and caring for our unique peoples, history, culture, and art. Tucson also has a prominent LGBTQ community, and a dedicated focus on heritage foods and cultures, well-being, and climate resilience. Tucson is a progressive city that draws travelers from all over the world to engage in scholarly exchange at the flagship research university, the University of Arizona, or just to experience the sunsets and saguaro cactus of the world’s only Sonoran Desert. 

Our Commitment to You

1)     We are working closely with the University of Arizona to ensure your safety while at the conference. You can sign up for UAlert (https://safety.arizona.edu/ualert), the University of Arizona’s emergency notification system, and download the SafeCats app to stay informed about safety on and around the University of Arizona campus: https://safety.arizona.edu/safecats

2)     We will communicate any emerging situations or updates to members and registered attendees. 

3)     We will take steps to support your visa application and preserve your right as scholars to freely present your work and collaborate with your peers:

a.     Upon paper acceptance, we will send out standard invitation letters for visa purposes to all international attendees. The letters will not include the title of your paper(s) and will instead be identified by a unique submission ID number so that your research topics are not mentioned.

b.     If you have an exceptional circumstance and need us to add your visa application number or unique wording in your letter, please send an email with your name and the titles of your accepted papers to iclasp19@gmail.com

We value your membership and conference engagement. We will strive to do what we can to ensure another welcoming and engaging conference for all attendees. Thank you for being a member of the IALSP community. If you have any specific concern, please contact the IALSP executive at ialsp.exec@gmail.com or the ICLASP19 planning committee at iclasp19@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

The Executive Committee of the International Association of Language and Social Psychology

Maggie Pitts | ICLASP19 Host and Organizer