Overview

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection barred a French scientist from entering the country after finding messages on his devices critical of President Trump's science policies.
• The incident occurred on March 9, 2025, as the scientist was traveling to Houston for a conference organized by the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS).
• Messages on the scientist's phone and computer were described by U.S. authorities as 'hateful and conspiratorial,' prompting a brief FBI investigation that was later dropped.
• The French government strongly condemned the deportation, citing concerns over freedom of speech, academic freedom, and international scientific collaboration.
• The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and CBP have not commented on the incident, which has sparked broader criticism of the Trump administration's immigration policies and treatment of foreign nationals.