Border Patrol enhances checks on visitors' electronic devices

More visitors to the U.S. are having their electronic devices checked at the border. This practice has sparked legal questions, especially after a French researcher was denied entry in Houston due to messages criticizing former President Donald Trump. Another traveler, a visa holder, was barred from reentering because her phone contained photos of Hezbollah's leader. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents have increased scrutiny, focusing on social media and messages during inspections. Immigration attorneys advise clients to be cautious about what they bring on devices and what they post online. CBP has the authority to search these items without a warrant as part of national security efforts. The French researcher was traveling on a temporary visa for a conference. CBP denied entry based on flagged messages about Trump, asserting these claims of political motivation were unfounded. Similarly, an H-1B visa holder was detained in Boston after returning from Lebanon with photos of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Under CBP policy, officers can search personal devices at the border. Although searches are rare, they can occur, and failing to comply may lead to barring entry. CBP states that such searches help prevent serious crimes. The decision to search someone's devices rests with border agents, who use their discretion based on various factors, such as visa validity or suspicions of fraud. The agency claims to protect personal data but can retain information from searches for up to 15 years. Experts are voicing concerns about the implications of these practices. Immigration law professionals warn travelers to limit sensitive data on their devices. Meanwhile, other countries, including New Zealand and Germany, have updated travel advisories for the U.S. in light of these stricter enforcement measures.