Your Rights at Airports and Border Crossings

 

Generated with MS Designer AI· March 23, 2025 at 10:28 PM

Read "Entering the U.S.? Here are your rights at airports and border crossings" by Daniel Wu, Washington Post 2023-03-21.  

Here is a simple summary:

1. Border Officers Can Check Your Belongings

• When you enter the U.S., officers can look inside your bags, phone, and computer.

2. Checking Phones and Computers

• Some people say officers should need permission to check devices, but the rules are not clear. (more from ACLU)
• U.S. citizens: Officers cannot stop you from entering, but they can take your device.
• Visitors: If you do not let them check your device, they may not let you enter.

3. How to Protect Your Information

• Do not keep too much personal data on your device.
• Use a strong password.
• Turn off face or fingerprint unlock before you travel.

4. Your Rights at the Border

• You can stay quiet, but if you do not answer, they may not let you enter.
• Visitors and green card holders may not have the right to a lawyer during questioning.

5. If You Have Problems

• If you have trouble entering the U.S., you can report it to the government through a program called DHS TRIP.

6. Documents You Need

• Visitors get a form called I-94, which shows when they arrive and must leave.

7. Border Search Rules

• Officers do not need a reason to check people at the border or at airports.
• Rules can change, so check official websites before you travel.