The French government reported on Wednesday, March 19, that a French researcher was denied entry to the United States and sent back to France due to expressing a "personal opinion" on
U.S. research policies.
"I have learned with concern that a French researcher," assigned to the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), "who was traveling to a conference near Houston, was refused entry to the U.S. before being expelled," stated Philippe Baptiste, France's Minister of Higher Education and Research, in a message to Agence France-Presse (AFP). "This decision appears to have been made by American authorities after discovering messages on his phone in which he shared personal opinions on the Trump administration’s research policies," he added.
According to a diplomatic source, the incident took place on March 9. Upon arrival, the researcher, who specializes in the space sector, was subjected to a random security check, during which officials examined his work computer and personal phone. Authorities allegedly found messages critical of Donald Trump's administration’s treatment of scientists. They informed him that his messages "expressed hatred toward Trump and could be considered terrorism," the source explained. His electronic devices were confiscated, and he was deported to Europe the following day.
U.S. Authorities Cite "Hateful and Conspiracy Messages"
Another source familiar with the case told AFP that U.S. officials cited "hateful and conspiracy messages" as grounds for denying entry. However, an FBI investigation into the researcher’s communications has since resulted in the charges being dropped.
"Freedom of opinion, free research, and academic freedom are values we will continue to uphold with pride," Minister Baptiste declared. "I will defend the right of all French researchers to remain true to these principles while respecting the law."
When contacted by AFP, U.S. border authorities did not provide an immediate response.
France Expresses Concern Over Incident
The French Foreign Ministry acknowledged that the U.S. has sovereign control over the entry and residence of foreign nationals but stated that French consular services had been "informed of the situation." The ministry also expressed its regret over the incident, reaffirming France’s "commitment to freedom of expression" and its dedication to fostering academic and scientific cooperation.
This event takes place amid renewed tensions between the scientific community and the Trump administration, which, since his return to the White House, has introduced drastic budget cuts and imposed censorship on certain publicly funded research topics. Photo by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Wikimedia commons.
