A French scientist was denied entry to the United States and deported after border officials discovered anti-Trump messages on his phone during a random search, raising significant concerns about academic freedom and international scientific cooperation.
Key Takeaways
- A French researcher from the National Centre for Scientific Research was denied U.S. entry for personal messages criticizing the Trump administration’s science policies found during a border phone search.
- The scientist was on his way to a scientific conference near Houston when he was randomly selected for screening on March 9.
- France’s Minister of Higher Education and Research, Philippe Baptiste, has condemned the incident, emphasizing the importance of academic freedom and freedom of opinion.
- Immigration attorneys are now advising international travelers to scrub their social media and devices of any criticism of U.S. administration before attempting entry.
- This incident is part of a concerning trend of increased scrutiny of foreign visitors and visa holders at U.S. borders.
Incident Details and Border Procedures
The French scientist, who works for the prestigious French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), was traveling to a conference near Houston, Texas when he was randomly selected for additional screening by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers on March 9. During the search, officials examined the scientist’s phone, where they discovered messages critical of the Trump administration’s science funding policies. After discovering these messages, border officials labeled them as “hateful and conspiratorial” and denied the researcher entry to the United States.
According to reports, the scientist was then subjected to an FBI investigation, though charges were later dropped. Despite this, the researcher was not permitted to enter the country and was sent back to France. While the specific conference the scientist intended to attend was not officially confirmed, the timing coincides with the 56th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, which was held near Houston during that period.
French Government Response
The incident has prompted a strong response from the French government, particularly from Philippe Baptiste, the Minister of Higher Education and Research. Baptiste has publicly condemned the action, expressing serious concerns about its implications for academic freedom and international scientific collaboration. The French government has acknowledged the United States’ sovereignty regarding entry decisions but has informed French consulates about the situation to monitor similar cases.
“I was told with concern that a French researcher, on a mission for the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), who was going to a conference near Houston, was banned from entering the U.S. before being expelled. This would have been taken by the U.S. authorities because the researcher’s phone contained exchanges with colleagues and friendly relations in which he expressed a personal opinion on the Trump administration’s research policy.” – French Minister of Higher Education and Research Philippe Baptiste
Baptiste has been particularly vocal about defending the values of freedom of opinion and academic freedom, stating that these are principles that France will “continue to proudly uphold.” The minister has also been critical of what he perceives as cuts to scientific research budgets under the Trump administration and has encouraged American researchers to consider relocating to France.
Broader Implications for International Researchers
This incident appears to be part of a growing trend of increased scrutiny and detention of temporary visa holders and visitors by U.S. border officials. Legal permanent residents and visa holders have also faced questioning and removal in recent months, including cases involving German tourists and a Canadian woman. Immigration attorneys have begun advising their clients to thoroughly clean their social media profiles of any criticism of the U.S. administration before attempting to enter the country.
“Freedom of opinion, free research, and academic freedom are values that we will continue to proudly uphold. I will defend the right of all French researchers to be faithful to them, while respecting the law.” – Philippe Baptiste
The Department of Homeland Security has not provided any comment on the specific incident. Meanwhile, the German government has indicated it is monitoring potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy following similar incidents involving German citizens. France has taken a more proactive approach, with Minister Baptiste sharing a photograph of a virtual meeting with an American researcher who accepted an invitation to relocate to Aix-Marseille University in France, signaling the country’s openness to scientists seeking environments with fewer restrictions on academic expression.
Sources:
- Scientist Banned From Entering US Over Opinions About Trump—Minister
- French scientist denied US entry after phone messages critical of Trump found
