A French scientist was barred from entering the United States earlier this month after immigration officials at an airport searched his phone and discovered messages criticizing the Trump administration, according to a statement by France’s minister of higher education and research.
Philippe Baptiste, the French minister, expressed concern over the incident in a statement to Agence France-Presse (AFP), published by Le Monde on Monday. “I learned with concern that a French researcher traveling to a conference near Houston was denied entry to the United States before being expelled,” Baptiste said. He added that the decision appeared to be based on “exchanges with colleagues and friends in which he expressed a personal opinion on the Trump administration’s research policy.”
Baptiste emphasized France’s commitment to academic freedom and free expression, stating, “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.”
Incident Sparks Diplomatic Tensions
A diplomatic source told AFP that the incident occurred on March 9. The scientist, who was on assignment for the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), was accused by U.S. authorities of possessing “hateful and conspiratorial messages” on his phone. The researcher was reportedly informed of an FBI investigation but told that “charges were dropped” before being expelled.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment. U.S. border agents are permitted to examine electronic devices as part of random security checks, a practice that has drawn criticism from civil rights groups. In 2017, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) sued the U.S. government over these warrantless searches, arguing they were unconstitutional. While the ACLU initially won the case in federal court, the decision was overturned on appeal, prompting the group to seek a Supreme Court review.
France Extends Invitation to U.S. Researchers
The incident has further strained relations between France and the U.S., particularly in the scientific community. Baptiste, who has been vocal in his criticism of the Trump administration and Elon Musk for cutting scientific research budgets, used the occasion to encourage American researchers to relocate to France. On the same day the scientist was denied entry, Baptiste published a letter inviting U.S. researchers to consider moving to France. “Many well-known researchers are already questioning their future in the United States,” he wrote. “We would naturally wish to welcome a certain number of them.”
The following day, Baptiste shared a photo of himself in a virtual meeting with a researcher from the University of Maryland School of Medicine who had accepted an invitation from Aix-Marseille University to continue their work in France. Aix-Marseille University has established a special program aimed at welcoming U.S. researchers, particularly those working on climate change, who may feel “threatened or hindered” in the U.S. and seek an environment that fosters “innovation, excellence, and academic freedom.”
Baptiste affirmed the French government’s commitment to supporting researchers, stating, “We are committed to this effort and will rise to the occasion.” The incident highlights growing tensions over academic freedom and border security practices, as well as the potential for international competition in attracting top scientific talent.