A French scientist was denied entry into the United States while en route to a conference near Houston, reportedly due to having expressed a personal opinion on research policy, according to the French Education Ministry. Minister for Higher Education and Research Philippe Baptiste stated that he was concerned to learn of the incident involving a researcher from the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS).
Details remain sparse, but it appears that the denial was linked to the scientist's views on the Trump administration's research policies. An Education Ministry spokesperson confirmed the incident, but did not provide further specifics.
A representative from U.S. Customs and Border Protection noted that privacy regulations prevent the agency from discussing individual cases. They emphasized that all individuals entering the country are subject to inspection on a case-by-case basis. Hilton Beckham, the spokesperson, stated that if any concerning material is found on a traveler’s electronic devices, it may lead to further scrutiny, asserting that claims of politically motivated decisions are completely unfounded.
Since taking office, the Trump administration has implemented measures to reduce or freeze federal funding for universities, medical centers, and other research institutions. Additionally, strict border policies, tighter visa vetting procedures, and a crackdown on undocumented migrants have been a focus of several executive orders.
In light of recent events, Germany has updated its travel advisory for the U.S. to emphasize that holding a visa or entry waiver does not guarantee access, following incidents where several German citizens were detained at the border. The advisory now warns that individuals violating entry rules could face arrest or detention.