Multi-society organizations that include representation of the science community in the United States have issued letters of concern to the federal government regarding a proposal by the US Department of State that would enhance rigorous evaluation of visa applicants. The proposal was drafted in response to a directive from the president “to implement additional protocols and procedures focused on ‘ensur[ing] the proper collection of all information necessary to rigorously evaluate all grounds of inadmissibility or deportability, or grounds for the denial of other immigration benefits.’”

The supplemental questions include a 15-year history of the applicant’s travel, address, and employment and social media handles used during the past five years. According to the State Department’s proposal, the additional questions would affect 65,000 individuals a year.

The proposal is subject to review and approval by the US Office of Management and Budget (OMB). OMB, in turn, issued a notice for public comment on May 4, 2017, which closed on May 18, 2017, known as an “emergency review.”

While appreciative of the need for national security, scientific and professional societies also expressed caution to not discourage non-US students and researchers from coming to the United States. Scientific societies, including the Materials Research Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Chemical Society, the American Physical Society, The Optical Society, and the Society for Biomaterials, are among the signatories on a multi-organization letter sent to OMB and to the State Department, concerned about the detrimental effect these additional requests may have on international travelers pursuing academic studies in the United States and scientific research collaborations with US researchers.  

Similarly, in a response to the proposal, the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) pointed out concern over “fewer registrations from international attendees at their meetings and conventions here in the U.S.” The American Composites Manufacturers Association, which organizes an annual trade show—Composites and Advanced Materials Expo, echoed the concerns of ASAE while emphasizing the need “to balance national security concerns with legitimate tourism and business travel to the United States to allow industries within the U.S. to compete in the global economy.”