U.S. Government Went Through These People’s Phones at the Border. Read Their Stories.
- 6 years ago
U.S. Government Went Through These People’s Phones at the Border. Read Their Stories.
22, 2017
WASHINGTON — A newly disclosed trove of about 250 complaints filed by people whose cellphones, laptops, tablets
and other personal electronics were searched by border agents without a warrant as they entered the United States is shedding light on a growing debate over individual privacy, collective security and 21st-century technology.
The Department of Homeland Security, in response to a Freedom of Information Act request, has released several hundred complaints filed since 2011 by
people whose phones, laptops or other electronic devices were searched without a warrant at the United States border as they entered the country.
Filed by a woman who appeared to be from Ireland, and was refused entry on apparent suspicion she was planning to work in the United States without a proper visa, which she denied ______ "My electronics
and bags were taken and searched and I was kept under close watch with only a few questions asked of me regarding previous travel.
Upon receiving my phone 24 hours later my SIM card was missing and I was told by another customs officer
that there was nothing they could do as I had signed my items in at the holding cell despite not having been allowed to touch my phone in the interim." — Aug. 9, 2015.
Filed by a man who described himself as a green-card holder from Nigeria whose phone was confiscated
when he was detained for two hours while driving across the border after visiting family in Canada.
I believe that the reasons for such an intrusive search I was subjected to should have been provided to me as a lawful permanent resident
of the United States for 15 years, without criminal records or any significant reason for such treatment." — Aug. 3, 2015.
22, 2017
WASHINGTON — A newly disclosed trove of about 250 complaints filed by people whose cellphones, laptops, tablets
and other personal electronics were searched by border agents without a warrant as they entered the United States is shedding light on a growing debate over individual privacy, collective security and 21st-century technology.
The Department of Homeland Security, in response to a Freedom of Information Act request, has released several hundred complaints filed since 2011 by
people whose phones, laptops or other electronic devices were searched without a warrant at the United States border as they entered the country.
Filed by a woman who appeared to be from Ireland, and was refused entry on apparent suspicion she was planning to work in the United States without a proper visa, which she denied ______ "My electronics
and bags were taken and searched and I was kept under close watch with only a few questions asked of me regarding previous travel.
Upon receiving my phone 24 hours later my SIM card was missing and I was told by another customs officer
that there was nothing they could do as I had signed my items in at the holding cell despite not having been allowed to touch my phone in the interim." — Aug. 9, 2015.
Filed by a man who described himself as a green-card holder from Nigeria whose phone was confiscated
when he was detained for two hours while driving across the border after visiting family in Canada.
I believe that the reasons for such an intrusive search I was subjected to should have been provided to me as a lawful permanent resident
of the United States for 15 years, without criminal records or any significant reason for such treatment." — Aug. 3, 2015.