OpenAI Researcher Forced to Leave US Amid Visa Crackdown

An OpenAI researcher, Kai Chen, who played a pivotal role in the development of GPT-4.5, was forced to leave the United States after her green card application was denied. Chen, a Canadian citizen, announced her relocation to Vancouver on social media, expressing uncertainty about her return to the U.S. She had been living and working in the country for 12 years.

Chen's colleague at OpenAI, research scientist Noam Brown, expressed his dismay at the decision, stating that it was deeply concerning that one of the best AI researchers he had worked with was denied a green card. Brown highlighted the potential risk to America’s AI leadership when top talent is turned away.

Chen's situation is part of a broader challenge facing the American tech sector under stricter immigration policies implemented after the January 2025 inauguration. The denial comes amid increased scrutiny of visa holders and green card applicants, with many international students facing visa challenges in recent months. This has led to over a hundred lawsuits and a temporary pause on efforts to revoke Student and Exchange Visitor Program records until a clear policy is designed.

The government has also suspended processing of green card requests for immigrants granted refugee or asylum status and introduced new H-1B visa requirements, including providing home addresses and biometrics. This visa crackdown has had a chilling effect on the scientific community, with a significant number of scientists considering leaving the U.S. for positions abroad, primarily in Europe and Canada.

This talent exodus could hit the AI sector particularly hard, as a significant portion of the most promising U.S.-based AI startups have immigrant founders, and nearly 70% of full-time AI-related graduate students in America are international. OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, has previously advocated for easier high-skill immigration pathways but has not publicly commented on Chen’s situation.

Another OpenAI colleague, Dylan Hunn, described Chen as crucial to the development of GPT-4.5, calling the decision to deny her green card "nuts." The Immigration and Nationality Act gives the Secretary of State broad authority to revoke visas if a foreign national's presence or activities could have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the U.S. This provision has reportedly been used to target hundreds of visa holders in recent months, with no clear barrier on what constitutes an adverse consequence.

Chen's departure highlights the broader implications of stricter immigration policies on the tech and scientific communities. The denial of her green card application not only affects her personal and professional life but also raises concerns about the U.S.'s ability to retain top talent in critical fields like AI. The situation underscores the need for a balanced immigration policy that supports high-skill immigration while addressing national security concerns.