A French scientist was denied entry to the United States and deported after officials found messages on his phone critical of the Trump administration’s research policies, the French government has confirmed.

The researcher, who works with the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), was traveling to a conference near Houston when he was stopped for a random inspection upon arrival on 9th March. US border authorities searched his work computer and personal phone, where they reportedly found messages referring to Donald Trump’s treatment of scientists. Officials told him the messages expressed “hatred towards Trump” and could be considered “terrorism.” His devices were confiscated, and he was sent back to France the next day.

French Higher Education Minister Philippe Baptiste said in a statement to AFP that the decision was taken because the researcher had “expressed a personal opinion on the Trump administration’s research policy” in private exchanges with colleagues and friends. He said France remains committed to “freedom of opinion, free research, and academic freedom”.

The French Foreign Ministry acknowledged that the US has sovereign control over its borders but said it “deplores this situation” and remains determined to promote freedom of expression. The ministry confirmed that French consular services had been made aware of the case.

The incident comes as Trump’s administration has reintroduced policies that have alarmed the scientific community, including major funding cuts and restrictions on certain areas of publicly funded research. US border authorities have not commented on the case.

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