With the new US administration, some perceptions about safety and discrimination at US borders have prompted a significant shift in academic participation among international scholars, particularly those from marginalized communities. One such academic, Gemma Lucy Smart, a PhD candidate at the University of Sydney and Disabilities Officer for the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA), has opted to attend a major social sciences conference remotely rather than travel to Seattle in September.
Reports of increased scrutiny at US borders, including searches of electronic devices and the denial of entry based on personal communications, have further intensified anxieties. A French scientist, for instance, was reportedly denied entry after authorities reviewed messages on his phone critical of Trump.
Additionally, prior to Trump’s return to office, US visa applicants were already required to disclose any disabilities. However, Smart claimed that some travelers have recently been stopped and questioned based on discrepancies between their disclosed conditions and the medications they carried, resulting in denial of entry.
These developments have had broader implications for Australian academics. According to the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), several researchers have reported the sudden termination of international grants and partnerships without explanation. Dr. Alison Barnes, the union’s national president, emphasized that these changes are having a profound impact on academic careers and research opportunities.
Jesse Gardner-Russell, a PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne and the national president of CAPA, expressed concerns. He highlighted the critical importance of attending international conferences, particularly for early- and mid-career researchers in fields such as science and technology, where access to top-tier facilities often depends on US-based collaborations.
Gardner-Russell also pointed to intellectual property concerns, citing increasing reports of border officials examining researchers’ personal devices. “Students are now forced to weigh the benefits of academic exposure against the risks of detention or data seizure,” he said.
The cybersecurity sector has also been affected. Patrick Gray, host of the podcast Risky Business, recently announced he would cancel his trip to the RSA Conference in San Francisco due to safety concerns at the US border.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through its Smartraveller advisory, has confirmed that US customs authorities possess extensive powers to inspect electronic devices and detain travelers. The advisory warns that refusal to comply may result in denied entry and that Australia’s capacity to offer consular support in such cases is limited.
