The letter echoes concerns previously raised by AASF about the damaging consequences this legislation would have on America’s scientific competitiveness, innovation, and ability to attract top global talent. More than 750 faculty members and researchers from 210 U.S. universities and academic institutions in 41 states and the District of Columbia have also signed on in support. The list of supporters also includes several Nobel laureates as well as many members of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Peter F. Michelson, Luke Blossom Professor in the School of Humanities & Sciences, Professor of Physics at Stanford University, and AASF Fellow: “Our scientific leadership has benefited enormously from the United States’ ability to attract and collaborate with the world’s brightest minds. The SAFE Research Act would undermine that strength by isolating American researchers and would further discourage international students and scholars from coming here and contributing to our innovation ecosystem. If we want to remain globally competitive, our policies must be rooted in openness, fairness, and trust—not fear.”

Steven Allan Kivelson, Prabhu Goel Family Professor at Stanford Institute for Theoretical Physics, and AASF Fellow: “The provisions of the SAFE Research Act would weaken, not strengthen, U.S. security and competitiveness. Broad, restrictive measures risk alienating the very scientists and engineers whose work drives American innovation. The excellence of our universities and the success of our technology-based industries have always been enabled by the attractiveness of our free society to the most ambitious and talented individuals from all over the world.”

“We are deeply grateful to the faculty across the country for speaking out against the SAFE Research Act,” said Gisela Perez Kusakawa, Executive Director of the Asian American Scholar Forum. “Their letter reinforces what we and others across the academic and civil rights communities have long emphasized — that overly broad and misguided measures risk weakening, not strengthening, U.S. security and innovation. Protecting our nation’s research enterprise means safeguarding fairness, due process, and openness, not isolating or alienating the very people driving our progress.”

The letter highlights the importance of maintaining the open and collaborative research environment that has been central to U.S. scientific excellence. It warns that provisions in the SAFE Research Act could chill international collaboration, discourage talented students and scholars from studying and working in the United States, and undermine America’s long-term competitiveness.

Both Professors Michelson and Kivelson, who are AASF Fellows, emphasized that the U.S. must balance legitimate national security concerns with policies that preserve the country’s reputation as a global leader in science and education.

AASF urges congressional conferees to strike the SAFE Research Act from the final NDAA agreement and to pursue instead thoughtful, targeted, and evidence-based approaches that promote transparency, fairness, and the continued vitality of the U.S. research ecosystem.