AAUP Weighs In on Ideological Exclusion

By Nicole M. Byrd

The AAUP’s legal and government relations departments collaborated with colleagues at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to provide a joint issue summary about “ideological exclusions” to members of a congressional subcommittee that is holding hearings on the visa process for foreign scholars. The ideological exclusion provision of the USA Patriot Act has been used to bar foreign scholars from traveling to the United States.

The hearings, the first of which took place on February 7, are being held before the House Subcommittee on Research and Science Education of the Committee on Science and Technology. The subcommittee is chaired by Washington State Democratic representative Brian Baird.

Baird, a former college professor, has taken an interest in the diplomatic value of the exchange of scholars. He also believes that the contributions of foreign scholars are essential to keep the United States competitive in the sciences.

AAUP and ACLU staff members followed up after the Easter recess with joint lobbying visits to key House staffers.

 Printer-Friendly Page