Trump administration orders USDA to investigate foreign scientists over research collaborations

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has directed U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) employees to investigate foreign scientists collaborating on research projects for evidence of “criminal or subversive activity.”

The new directive requires staff to use Google to conduct background checks on all foreign nationals working with agency scientists. According to documents obtained by ProPublica, the names of flagged individuals will be referred to national security experts.

The policy has faced internal opposition from USDA supervisors, some of whom characterized the measures as “dystopian.” The USDA already prohibits researchers from collaborating or publishing with scientists from “countries of concern,” including China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba, but the new scrutiny also extends to scientists from allied nations such as Canada and Germany.

Jennifer Jones of the Union of Concerned Scientists described the directive as a return to “McCarthyism” and a “classic sign of authoritarianism.”

The USDA stated the change implements a memorandum from President Trump’s first term aimed at protecting U.S.-funded research. The agency further alleged that the Biden administration had failed to carry out the original directive.

The latest directive from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) represents more than a mere shift in administrative protocol; it signals a decisive move toward the securitization of the American scientific enterprise. This policy reflects a broader strategic pivot observed under the Trump administration, where international collaboration—traditionally the engine of American innovation—is increasingly viewed through the narrow lens of national security and systemic risk.

By effectively deputizing U.S. scientists to conduct "investigations" into their international counterparts via basic search engines, the government is employing a crude methodology that risks destabilizing the research ecosystem. This mandate places researchers in an untenable position, forcing them to serve as amateur security officers and fostering an environment of institutionalized mistrust. The result is likely to be a significant "chilling effect," as American scientists shy away from engaging with global talent to avoid the threat of administrative scrutiny or legal liability.

In the long term, such barriers threaten to erode the United States’ standing as the global leader in science and technology. As Washington tightens restrictions, top-tier international talent and high-impact research initiatives may pivot toward competing hubs in Europe and Asia. While concerns regarding industrial espionage and the theft of intellectual property are well-founded—as evidenced by several high-profile federal cases—the application of a blanket policy of suspicion, even toward researchers from allied nations, constitutes a strategic overreach. Ultimately, the cost of stifling innovation may far outweigh the perceived security gains.

This policy is creating a profound sense of insecurity for Vietnamese researchers, PhD candidates, and students working across the U.S., especially within STEM. Although Vietnam is not officially listed as a "country of concern," the mandate to screen all foreign nationals means our scholars are still subject to invasive vetting. This scrutiny can lead to stalled publications, lost partnerships, and direct threats to one’s H-1B or student visa status—often based on something as simple as a misinterpreted Google search. The lack of procedural clarity creates a high-risk environment for the very individuals who are making vital contributions to American scientific advancement.