OpenAI Researcher's Green Card Denied - GPT-4.5 Insights
AI Researcher Denied Green Card, Forced to Leave U.S.
Kai Chen, an AI researcher from Canada employed at OpenAI, has been denied a U.S. green card despite residing in the country for 12 years. This information was shared by Noam Brown, a prominent research scientist at OpenAI, who indicated Chen must now depart the United States.
Concerns Over U.S. AI Leadership
Brown expressed significant concern regarding the denial, stating that losing a researcher of Chen’s caliber is detrimental to U.S. interests. He emphasized that the situation risks diminishing America’s standing in the field of artificial intelligence when skilled individuals are turned away.
Impact on OpenAI Projects
Dylan Hunn, another OpenAI employee, highlighted Chen’s vital role in the development of GPT-4.5, a key AI model produced by the company.
Temporary Remote Work Arrangement
While the green card denial doesn’t immediately affect Chen’s employment, Brown noted she intends to work remotely from Vancouver, Canada, while the matter is addressed. This situation exemplifies the challenges faced by foreign talent seeking to live and work within the U.S.
OpenAI’s Stance on Immigration
OpenAI has not yet issued a formal comment. However, CEO Sam Altman previously advocated for streamlined immigration processes for highly skilled workers in a July 2023 post on X.
Paperwork Issues Cited
Following the initial reports, an OpenAI spokesperson released a statement indicating the application was submitted before Chen joined the company. The spokesperson suggested potential issues with the application’s paperwork and confirmed they are assisting Chen with her situation.
Wider Crackdown on International Students
This case occurs amidst a broader trend of increased scrutiny towards international students and researchers in the U.S. Over 1,700 international students have recently faced challenges to their visa statuses.
Accusations and Minor Infractions
Some students have been accused of supporting Palestinian militant groups or engaging in “antisemitic” activities. Others have been targeted for relatively minor offenses, such as traffic violations.
Visa Cancellations and Future Reviews
The administration recently reversed its cancellation of student visas, but this may be temporary. A “new system” for reviewing and potentially terminating international student visas is reportedly under development.
Increased Scrutiny of Green Card Applicants
The Trump administration has adopted a more cautious approach to green card applications, suspending processing for those with refugee or asylum status. Additionally, green card holders perceived as potential “national security” threats have faced detention and deportation proceedings.
OpenAI’s Reliance on Foreign Talent
AI labs, including OpenAI, heavily depend on international researchers. Data indicates OpenAI submitted over 80 H-1B visa applications last year and has sponsored more than 100 visas since 2022.
H-1B Visas and Increased Requests for Evidence
H-1B visas allow U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in specialized fields. Recently, immigration officials have increased requests for evidence, including personal information, potentially leading to more application denials.
Immigrant Contributions to the U.S. AI Industry
Immigrants have been instrumental in the growth of the U.S. AI sector.
Statistics on Immigrant Founders and Students
A study revealed that 66% of the top 50 U.S.-based AI startups had immigrant founders. Furthermore, 70% of full-time graduate students in AI-related fields are international students.
Notable Immigrant AI Pioneers
Ashish Vaswani, co-creator of the transformer model – foundational to chatbots like ChatGPT – immigrated to the U.S. to study computer science. Wojciech Zaremba, a co-founder of OpenAI, obtained his AI doctorate from NYU on a student visa.
Researchers Considering Leaving the U.S.
U.S. immigration policies, funding cuts, and a perceived lack of support for certain scientific fields are prompting researchers to consider relocating. A Nature poll indicated that 75% of surveyed scientists are contemplating jobs abroad.
Updated 5:08 p.m. Pacific: Included a statement from an OpenAI spokesperson.
