Natural Science Forum / Physics / General Physics / July 2008

US declares MIT science grad students are security threats

http://blogs.physicstoday.org/newspicks/2008/05/us_declares_mit_science_grad_s.h
tml?type=PTFAVE

The Tech: Eight MIT graduate students with student visas were denied a key credential by
the Department of Homeland Security. After their department appealed the decisions on
their behalf, the DHS declared at least two of the students “security threats.”

The troubles stem from a new homeland security program called the Transportation Worker
Identification Credential, a plastic card which, like an MIT ID, contains personally
identifying information and can be read wirelessly. Without the credential, the students
will soon have a harder time boarding and leaving ships at U.S. ports, including the three
research ships at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, where the students work.

The situation was well-known to WHOI, but it only came to MIT’s attention yesterday, when
a German student forwarded to colleagues in the Earth, Atmosphere, and Planetary Sciences
Department a letter from the Department of Homeland Security. The letter said in part: “I
have personally reviewed the Initial Determination of Threat Assessment, your reply,
accompanying information, and all other information and materials available to the TSA.
Based upon this review, I have determined that you pose a security threat and you do not
meet the eligibility requirements to hold a Transportation Worker Identification
Credential (TWIC).” A British graduate student received a similar letter, said James A.
Yoder, dean of WHOI.