Are you entering the USA? Think twice before you publish about Trump – your social media can deny the entry

When the officers of the border patrol increase the search of phones and accounts in social media visitors visitors arriving in the United States, immigration supporters called on the legality of the removal.

The problem gained adhesion, because many visa owners have reportedly faced before the refusal to enter of their posts and news on social media. In particular, it features a French scientist, who officers refused to enter Houston after seeing the news criticizing the cuts of President Donald Trump for scientific research. He informed that the man had a short lived visa for the conference so long as his news about Trump has been marked.

Thanks to this elevated security middle, which can result in restrictions for other visa owners, immigration lawyers warn clients against this risk. One lawyer called people to remove all sensitive photos or messages with which the border patrol could find an issue.

“I told my clients to be very careful about their use of electronic devices and bringing electronic devices, such as telephones and laptops across the border to make sure that they did not save unintentional photos on the phone, which may be controversial, even if they do not think they are”, Elissa Taub, immigration partner lawyer, Siskind Susser in Tennessee.

She added: “And to be very careful about their online activities in WhatsApp, telegram conversations, such things. Because if they are stopped on the border or stopped, CBP may ask for their devices and they don’t really have a way not to occur.”

However, the border patrol defended his search, stating that officers could take over devices for national security purposes. Considering the position of the US government that the fourth amendment to the search without an order don’t apply at the country’s borders, CBP may search devices without an order. Although rare, having lower than 0.01% of travelers experiencing this, everyone must follow when you are asked or face legal and potential evasion.

CBP officers can also record and save the devices for as much as 15 years. ACLU encourages all visitors to memory what information is on their devices. The organization also called on people to guard confidential data by encryption.

The CBP Internal Security Department has published a search statement regarding search. The Department defended CBP security measures to counteract terrorism, while emphasizing its commitment to protecting privacy.

“The Internal Security Department is obliged to guard the privacy of people, civil rights and civic freedoms. DHS, including CBP, uses various types of technology in the scope of its mission, including tools for supporting research related to, amongst others, its authorizers and law and law.

In the meantime, other nations encouraged their residents visiting the US to take care of vigilance at these updates, including issuing a warning about potential arrest if it refuses to enter.