French scientist denied entry to US over views on Trump's policies

The United States continues to strengthen its control over the entry of foreign citizens. Recently, a French scientist was denied entry into Texas and deported on March 10, reportedly due to his personal views on the policies of the Trump administration. This incident highlights the increased scrutiny faced by foreign nationals at US borders.

According to reports on Wednesday, the scientist is a researcher at the French National Centre for Scientific Research, a public institution funded by the French government. He was traveling near Houston to attend a conference but was intercepted by customs officials at the border. The situation raises concerns about academic freedom and the potential for political bias in border control.

French Minister of Higher Education and Research, Philippe Baptiste, told Agence France-Presse on Thursday that US authorities refused the scientist entry and deported him because his phone contained information expressing his opinions on the Trump administration's science policies. "Freedom of opinion, freedom of research, and academic freedom are values that we will continue to proudly uphold. I will defend the possibility for all French researchers to remain faithful to these values, while respecting the law," Baptiste said. The French government is closely monitoring the situation and providing support to the researcher.

Reportedly, the researcher underwent a random inspection upon arrival, and his personal phone and laptop were searched. Baptiste stated that the scientist expressed "personal opinions" on Trump's policies, but it is unclear what content was deemed inappropriate. French authorities have not released the scientist's name, emphasizing the need for privacy and discretion in such sensitive matters.

In another incident, Becky Burke, a 28-year-old British citizen, was detained for 19 days at the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center in Tacoma, Washington, after being denied entry at the US-Canada border on February 28. She was accused of violating her travel visa. After family and friends raised funds to help her return home, Burke was deported and returned home on March 19, underscoring the potential for lengthy detentions and financial burdens associated with visa violations.

According to The Tacoma News Tribune, Burke had been traveling in the United States for several months, staying with numerous families and doing housework in exchange for accommodation. When she attempted to visit Vancouver, planning to stay with a host family, Canadian officials denied her entry. Subsequently, she was questioned by US Customs and Border Protection officials, who told her that she had violated her travel visa. This case illustrates the complexities and potential pitfalls of navigating US immigration regulations.

Given the increased US immigration control, the UK has issued updated travel guidance for British citizens traveling to the United States. The updated travel advice warns visitors that they "may be arrested or detained if you fail to comply with all entry, visa and other entry conditions. US authorities strictly establish and enforce entry rules. If you violate the rules, you may be arrested or detained." Travelers are advised to carefully review and adhere to all applicable regulations to avoid potential issues.

According to Axios, several Germans have recently been detained in the United States for reasons including incorrectly answering questions from border officials due to language barriers, and traveling with tattooing equipment. Germany updated its travel advice for the United States on Tuesday, stating that visas and entry waivers do not necessarily guarantee entry for German citizens. These incidents highlight the importance of clear communication and understanding of US regulations for all foreign visitors.