US denies French scientist barred from entry over Trump criticism
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US border authorities have alleged that a French scientist was denied entry to the US for attempting to smuggle classified material.
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Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago on January 7, 2025. (AP)
A French scientist was turned away by US border authorities not because he criticized Donald Trump, as some media and officials suggested, but rather because he was attempting to smuggle classified material, US Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin claimed on Friday.
This week, reports emerged about a French scientist who was denied entry to the United States this month after immigration officers searched his phone at an airport and found messages in which he criticized the Trump administration's research policy.
Philippe Baptiste, France’s minister for Higher Education and Research, confirmed the incident in a statement to Agence France-Presse published by Le Monde, expressing concern over the situation.
The identity of the French space scientist who was reportedly prohibited from attending a symposium near Houston earlier in March has yet to be revealed.
Media outlets speculated the reason was messages on his phone that included "hateful" statements criticizing the Trump administration's research program.
French Education Minister Philippe Baptiste has condemned the admission restriction, claiming it would violate freedom of thought and unfettered research if based on the researcher's personal beliefs.
According to an X statement by McLaughlin, "The French researcher in question was in possession of confidential information on his electronic device from Los Alamos National Laboratory— in violation of a non-disclosure agreement—something he admitted to taking without permission and attempted to conceal."
Yeah, not true. The French researcher in question was in possession of confidential information on his electronic device from Los Alamos National Laboratory— in violation of a non-disclosure agreement—something he admitted to taking without permission and attempted to conceal.… https://t.co/CR4lM8JaLL
— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) March 21, 2025
"Any claim that his removal was based on political beliefs is blatantly false," McLaughlin added.
Trump's administration has reduced federal research funding and attempted to remove hundreds of federal employees focusing on health and climate research.
The researcher is said to be employed by France's National Center for Scientific Research. Baptiste, who was a scientist before becoming a politician, reportedly circulated a letter to French educational institutions urging them to make arrangements to receive scientists who want to flee the US due to the Trump administration's funding cuts and other science and research policies.
"Many well-known researchers are already questioning their future in the United States," Baptiste said in a letter to the country's institutions, emphasizing that France "would naturally wish to welcome" several of them.
Baptiste requested that research leaders offer him "concrete proposals on the topic, both on priority technologies and scientific fields."
In a statement given to AFP Sunday, he said the administration is "committed, and will rise to the occasion."
