International travellers travelling to the US are being advised to remove personal photos and sensitive information from their phones, laptops and other electronic devices. According to US media, under President Trump’s new ‘Enhanced Vetting Policy’, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the US border have the authority to thoroughly search passengers’ equipment.
Travelers have sometimes faced detention or deportation based on digital content, such as political views or personal photos. These policies have been enforced through executive orders that allow authorities to search phones, laptops and social media accounts without a warrant.
Let us tell you that in March this year, a French scientist was barred from entering America because messages criticizing the Trump administration were found on his phone. CBP officers have the legal right to inspect electronic devices at the border. This includes phones, laptops, and tablets. Officers can look at your text messages, social media activities, photos, emails, and even browser history.
Amir Maqleed, a Lebanese-American lawyer representing a pro-Palestinian protester at the University of Michigan, was recently stopped at Detroit Metro Airport, The Guardian reported.