US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has reiterated its stance on the individualized inspection process for travelers entering the United States, following claims that their decisions are politically motivated. The statement comes in light of a recent incident involving a French space researcher denied entry to the US, reportedly over messages concerning former President Trump's research policies.
In a response to these allegations, Hilton Beckham, the Assistant Commissioner of Public Affairs for CBP, emphasized that the agency does not base its decisions on political motivations. Beckham stated that all individuals entering the United States are subject to a thorough inspection process, which is conducted on a case-by-case basis. This process, he noted, is not standardized and considers individual circumstances rather than predetermined criteria.
“If an individual has material discovered on their electronic media that raises flags during an inspection, it can result in further analysis. Claims that such decisions are politically motivated are completely unfounded,” Hilton Beckham said in a statement.
CBP's inspection process aims to ensure the safety and security of the country. However, due to privacy concerns and legal constraints, CBP has refrained from commenting on specific cases, as confirmed to CNN. The agency maintains that its methods are designed to be impartial and focused on security rather than political beliefs or opinions.
The incident involving the French researcher has drawn attention from officials in France. Philippe Baptiste, a French minister, expressed concern over the situation and defended the academic freedoms and values held by French researchers.
“Freedom of opinion, free research, and academic freedom are values that we will continue to proudly uphold,” Philippe Baptiste stated.
He further emphasized the importance of respecting the law while ensuring that researchers can freely express their opinions and engage in open discourse, regardless of their location.
“I will defend the right of all French researchers to adhere to these values, while respecting the law, regardless of the country in which they find themselves,” he added.
