Travel restrictions bar surgeon from U.S. meeting
Harm to collaboration?
The VWP restrictions are among a number of increased security measures for foreigners and immigrants entering the country. President Trump’s March 6 Executive Order on immigration expanded uniform screening procedures for all visa classes and nationalities, while another provision suspended the Visa Interview Waiver Program. The interview program suspension means that certain applicants seeking to renew a visa must be interviewed in person by a consular officer. While a number of courts, including the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, have blocked much of the Executive Order, the decisions did not halt the additional screening requirements or temporarily suspend the Visa Interview Waiver Program rollback. Both provisions remain in effect.
On May 4, the State Department proposed another regulation that would require more personal information from a subset of visa applicants, including 15 years of biographical information, employment history, addresses, prior passport numbers, information about family members including current and former spouses as well as travel histories and how trips were funded. Visa applicants would be required to provide phone numbers and email addresses used over the previous 5 years, according to the proposed rule. The subset of visa applicants would be determined by Department of State consular officers when resolving an applicant’s identity or when vetting for national security–related visa ineligibilities.
In a May 18 letter to the State Department, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and 17 other associations cautioned that the rule, if approved, would blunt scientific and academic collaborations, discourage foreign students from seeking to study and participate in research projects in the United States, and damage U.S. competitiveness.
“The notice, as proposed, is likely to have a chilling effect not only on those required to submit additional information, but indirectly on all international travelers to the United States,” the letter stated. “The uncertainties and confusion regarding supplemental questions will have a negative impact particularly on U.S. higher education and scientific collaborations.”
Since Dr. Kappetein’s travel mishap, he has obtained the required visa so that he may again travel to the United States. But he noted that entering this country will take at least 2 hours longer because of the visa entry protocols and additional airport screenings. The added restrictions and increased scrutiny of foreign travelers is unfortunate for U.S.-based medical conferences, he said.
“The interchange of information is really happening at those meetings,” he said. “[This] will block the exchange of information and it will block innovation. That’s a pity for [foreign physicians], but also for Americans.”
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