US Research Lab Accused of Pushing Out Foreign Scientists
▼ Summary
– The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is considering new restrictions that could limit the work of foreign-born researchers, which lawmakers warn may drive away valuable expertise and damage the agency’s credibility.
– Proposed changes include limiting international graduate students and postdocs to a maximum of three years at NIST, despite many projects requiring five to seven years, and have already led to canceled hiring plans.
– NIST states the proposed measures aim to protect U.S. science from theft and abuse, reflecting a bipartisan priority to secure intellectual property from foreign adversaries.
– Democratic lawmakers, in a letter to NIST’s acting director, argue the rumored restrictions go beyond what is reasonable for security and demand transparency and a pause until Congress can review them.
– These potential NIST policies add to other Trump administration actions, such as hiking H-1B visa fees and limiting student visas, which critics warn could push immigrant researchers to work elsewhere and hamper economic growth.
Concerns are mounting that new security measures at a premier US government research institution could force out international scientists, potentially stripping the nation of critical expertise and undermining the agency’s standing. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which develops foundational standards for cybersecurity, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence, relies heavily on a global workforce of specialists. Lawmakers and internal sources now warn that restrictive policies targeting foreign-born researchers threaten to damage this vital pipeline of talent.
Rumors of stringent new rules have circulated for weeks, prompting a formal inquiry from Congress. In a letter to NIST’s acting director, Representative Zoe Lofgren, the top Democrat on the House Science Committee, expressed deep concern. She stated that while her office has heard multiple unconfirmed reports, they have verified that the administration “has begun taking steps to limit the ability of foreign-born researchers to conduct their work at NIST.” The letter, cosigned by fellow committee member April McClain Delaney, follows earlier reporting indicating international graduate students and postdoctoral researchers would face a new three-year cap, despite many projects requiring five to seven years to complete.
The uncertainty is already having a tangible impact. One NIST employee, speaking anonymously, revealed that plans to hire foreign workers through a specific professional program have been canceled due to doubts about clearing new security protocols. The agency has not broadly communicated the details or justification for these impending hurdles. Additional reports indicate that “noncitizens” recently lost after-hours access to a NIST laboratory and could soon be barred from the facility entirely.
A NIST spokesperson defended the proposed changes as necessary to protect American science from theft and misuse, aligning with a broader bipartisan focus on securing intellectual property. In recent years, NIST’s background check and security procedures have faced congressional scrutiny. Just last month, Republican lawmakers urged new restrictions to prevent Chinese nationals from working at Department of Energy national labs. However, Representative Lofgren’s letter argues the rumored NIST restrictions exceed “what is reasonable and appropriate to protect research security.” It demands full transparency by a February 26 deadline and calls for a pause on implementation until Congress can assess their necessity.
This situation at NIST reflects a wider pattern of immigration and visa policies that many in the technology sector fear will drive talent away from the United States. Increasing fees for H-1B visas, revoking student visas, and limiting post-graduation training opportunities collectively create a hostile environment for immigrant researchers. Industry leaders caution that these measures not only disrupt lives but also jeopardize economic growth and innovation by encouraging skilled scientists to pursue their careers in other countries.
(Source: Wired)
