France’s research minister said the scientist was traveling to Houston for a conference when his phone was searched

Summary

US immigration officers denied entry to a French scientist traveling to Houston after finding phone messages criticizing the Trump administration.

French research minister Philippe Baptiste condemned the decision, stressing the importance of academic freedom.

US authorities reportedly accused the scientist of “hateful and conspiratorial messages” but later dropped charges.

Baptiste has been vocal against Trump and Elon Musk for cutting research funding and invited American scientists to relocate to France.

    • Goldholz@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
      3·
      14 days ago

      And boosting EU Honestly, i think trump is the best thing that happened for the EU.

      Finally waking up from their USA reliance sleeping pill

      • Bademantel@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1·
        14 days ago

        I had the same hope the last time this clown was president (welp, there goes my US visa). It didn’t happen. Maybe this time it’ll be different but as long as conservatives have any saying in EU politics I’m very much sceptical.

    • Balder@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      13 days ago

      Does China do this too to people that visits the country? I’m wondering if the US is already worse than China or if they’re on the same level now.

      • NOT_RICK@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1·
        13 days ago

        I believe they have been known to search people’a phones. I do know for sure that they ban people that are outspoken against the CCP from entering.

        • webghost0101@sopuli.xyzEnglish
          2·
          13 days ago

          I lack credible sources but I assume in a similar case they just let you in and observe every move you make to make sure you don’t overreach the scope of your visit.

          Now if you are known public speaker on democracy and are scheduled to speak at universities you may have more trouble but i imagine in this case you either never go there to begin with or at least carry a dummy phone for the time of your travel.

  • ThePantser@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    3·
    14 days ago

    I have anti Trump messages on my phone. Can I get a free deportation out of here? I’ll let my family sell my shit and send me the money.

    • woelkchen@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      14 days ago

      Can I get a free deportation out of here?

      No, you need to buy your own ticket like the French scientist had to. The flight back isn’t free either unless they insured the travel for such conditions.

      • PerogiBoi@lemmy.caEnglish
        1·
        13 days ago

        Americans have this idea that they can just enter other countries and live there just by virtue of being American.

        I grew up in America and they drilled this bullshit into our heads from grades 3-6. Disgusting to see this attitude continue in grown adults.

  • Lobshta@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    14 days ago

    I want to know how they got access to his phone. Did he hand it over willingly? Did they run some kind of scan by connecting it to a device? Did they have a court order or authority to search it?

    How do we help others avoid this sort of thing? My recommendation: start using Signal.