The Spark of Protest in the Math Community
The mathematics world is buzzing with controversy as over 2,100 mathematicians from more than 75 countries have signed a petition calling for the relocation of the 2026 International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) from Philadelphia. This quadrennial event, organized by the International Mathematical Union (IMU), represents the pinnacle of global mathematical achievement, awarding prestigious prizes like the Fields Medal and drawing thousands for cutting-edge research presentations. Scheduled for July 23-30, 2026, it marks the first time in four decades the ICM will be held in the United States. However, fears of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainment, visa denials, and broader geopolitical tensions have ignited a boycott movement, raising alarms for American higher education institutions reliant on international talent.
At the heart of the uproar is a Google Sites petition titled "Move the 2026 ICM out of the US," co-created by Ila Varma, an associate professor at the University of Toronto, and Tarik Aougab from Haverford College. Signatories include over 100 former ICM speakers and seven scheduled for 2026, underscoring the depth of discontent. The petition argues that the U.S. environment poses unacceptable risks to international attendees, echoing the IMU's 2022 decision to shift the congress online from St. Petersburg after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Core Concerns: ICE Risks and Immigration Barriers
Central to the boycott call are heightened fears of ICE interactions. Petitioners cite reports of academics facing phone confiscations, deportations, and racial profiling at borders. Daniel Flores, a math Ph.D. student at Purdue University, noted contacts hesitant to visit the U.S. due to deportation risks. Tian An Wong, a professor at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, highlighted that citizens from fewer than two-thirds of countries can even apply for U.S. entry visas, questioning the event's accessibility. Recent data shows student visa denial rates reaching record highs of 36 percent globally, with even steeper drops for certain nationalities amid 2026 policy shifts.
These issues hit U.S. mathematics departments hard. International students and faculty comprise a significant portion of STEM programs; for instance, over 50 percent of math Ph.D.s at top U.S. universities like MIT and Princeton are awarded to non-citizens. Declines in international enrollment—down 17 to 40 percent in recent years—threaten research output and tuition revenue that subsidizes domestic students. Universities like the University of California system and Ivy League schools report operational strains from visa delays and revocations, impacting collaborative projects in pure and applied mathematics.
Broader ICE enforcement has led to psychological trauma among students, with surveys showing enrollment hesitancy among high-achieving international applicants. This boycott amplifies these trends, potentially deterring top global talent from U.S. campuses.
Geopolitical Tensions Fuel the Fire
Beyond immigration, U.S. military actions have drawn sharp criticism. Bombings at Iran's Sharif University of Technology destroyed AI databases vital to mathematical modeling, while airstrikes on Venezuela's Institute for Scientific Research leveled a mathematics center. Varma emphasized this as a direct assault on global math infrastructure, contrasting it with the IMU's swift response to Ukraine. The French Mathematical Society (Société Mathématique de France, or SMF) cited these alongside visa woes and 'martial law' invocations in announcing no booth at the ICM, condemning attacks on academic freedoms in line with Benjamin Franklin's rational legacy.
Cuban and Brazilian mathematical societies have also distanced themselves. For U.S. higher education, this signals eroding global confidence; departments at institutions like the University of Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia) and NYU worry about long-term collaboration losses. Historical parallels abound: during the 2017 travel ban, math conferences saw boycotts, with open letters from leaders like Terence Tao warning of brain drain.
Inside Higher Ed reports detail how such events could exacerbate faculty shortages in pure math fields, where international hires fill 40-60 percent of positions at research universities.IMU and Local Organizers' Stance
The IMU remains committed to Philadelphia, issuing a March 30, 2026, statement prioritizing in-person exchange amid global challenges. They pledge a 'safe and welcoming environment' with added risk mitigation, visa assistance via embassies, and post-event online recordings. As of early April, 1,946 have registered, including 1,400 internationals—fewer than the 3,018 mathematicians at 2018's Rio ICM but still substantial.
The Local Organizing Committee, involving the American Mathematical Society (AMS), echoes this, coordinating with consulates. No direct response to the petition has come from IMU executives since its April 1 delivery, though they differentiate U.S. actions from Russia's invasion.
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
Impacts on U.S. Higher Education and Math Departments
U.S. universities stand to lose significantly. Math departments at state flagships like the University of Wisconsin and public Ivies depend on international postdocs and grad students for research grants from NSF and NIH. A boycott could signal to funding agencies the risks of U.S.-centric collaborations, mirroring 17 percent drops in new international enrollment reported in 2025.
- Reduced diversity in seminars and collaborations, stunting breakthroughs in areas like algebraic geometry and number theory.
- Financial hits: international tuition funds labs; losses could lead to program cuts, as seen at Syracuse with 93 humanities reductions.
- Recruitment challenges: top Ph.D. applicants from Europe, Asia, Latin America opting for Canada or Europe, where visa processes are smoother.
Experts like Emmy Murphy at Toronto note Canadian academics' detentions heighten sympathies. U.S. deans are quietly advising caution, with some AMS notices highlighting travel grants but no boycott endorsement.
Historical Context and Past Boycotts
Math boycotts aren't new. The 1936 ICM in Zurich saw refusals amid Nazi threats; 2022's Russia shift set precedent. During Trump's first term, Joint Policy Board for Mathematics protested proclamations suspending visas. Today, with ICE operations up and detentions of non-criminal immigrants rising, academics face renewed perils.
The boycott petition site lists signers from U.S. institutions, showing internal divisions.Stakeholder Perspectives: Voices from All Sides
Pro-boycott: Varma calls for equity in addressing aggressions; Flores urges responsibility to the global community. Anti: IMU stresses collaboration's importance.
U.S. faculty like those at Purdue and Michigan weigh in-person benefits against risks. Broader higher ed leaders, via ACE briefs, note immigration's campus ripple effects, from test score dips among affected students to compliance costs.
Potential Solutions and Future Outlook
Relocation to Canada or Europe is floated, though logistically tough. U.S. universities push for streamlined visas; some offer virtual hybrids. Long-term, math depts may pivot to domestic talent pipelines via programs like NSF GRFP.
As July nears, watch registrations and withdrawals. This saga underscores higher ed's globalization fragility, urging policy reforms for sustained U.S. leadership in mathematics.
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
Implications for Academic Careers and Mobility
For aspiring math professors and researchers, this highlights mobility risks. U.S. job markets in higher ed already face shortages; boycotts could accelerate shifts to Europe. Students eyeing Ph.D.s abroad must navigate ESTA changes and ESTA denials. Constructive paths include advocating via AMS and building resilient networks.