Hacker News Reader

Comment by sQL_inject | Hacker News Reader

This comment is devoid of data. There have been less stoppages and detentions than you can count on one hand of scientists and mathematicians. There are hundreds of thousands classified via various levels of visa. None have been arrested in some unlawful manner, and the onus is on you to define "asshattery" in a way that is defensible. Foreign adversaries have been embedded within the US academic institutions before the Cold War. Just because the current US president is a divisive convicted felon doesn't suddenly mean we shouldn't care about controlling our own borders.

The US (and many nations for that matter) monitor, track, and protect their borders by foreigners and of a group of mathematicians cannot fathom why this may be the case amidst all-time high mistrust, spying, and academic and corporate espionage and then they should've studied harder.

View on HN

I think that mathematicians can do the maths...

But it is not just about the numbers, you are probably right that statistically, mathematicians don't have much to fear at the border, but the current administration seems to go out of its way make the US unwelcoming. All countries will protect their borders in some way but they usually don't make a show out of it like the US does.

If you go to a hotel and are greeted by a grumpy guy who asks how how you dare book a room on their property, it is a natural reaction to move to the hotel next door where the staff is hopefully more friendly.

"French scientist denied entry to US over anti-Trump messages"

<https://thehill.com/policy/international/5205954-french-scie...>

"Korean Scientist With Green Card Detained for a Week and Denied Access to His Lawyer"

<https://www.commondreams.org/news/korean-legal-resident-deta...>

"A US-born NASA scientist was detained at the border until he unlocked his phone"

<https://www.theverge.com/2017/2/12/14583124/nasa-sidd-bikkan...>

"Russian scientist working at Harvard detained by ICE after being stopped at Logan Airport"

<https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/russian-scientist-wo...>

"Chinese American researchers targeted at US border"

<https://concernedscientists.org/2023/03/chinese-american-res...>

These are just cases that make the news. There is a very real possibility of being detained, having devices confiscated, or being refused entry if you are an outspoken critic of the president.

> This comment is devoid of data.

So is yours...

What an utter piece of shit comment. I have had friends (research mathematicians) who were harassed at the border and you have the temerity to do the "cite your sources" shitcrap for "data" which is available with a single click of the mouse -- as the very gracious sibling comment showed, doing your work for you.

when i consider traveling to any country i don't care about statistics. i care about feeling safe. unless you can prove and guarantee that i will not be bothered when crossing the border then i'll stay away.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com