"Over the past decade, there has been an uptick in the number of phone and electronics searches taking place at the border-with the increases taking place throughout multiple political administrations. Statistics published by the CBP show there were 8,503 searches in 2015. Since 2018, the number of yearly searches has risen from around 30,000 to more than 55,000 this year. The new figures are the first time searches have surpassed 50,000."
"CBP spokesperson Rhonda Lawson says that its most recent search numbers are "consistent with increases since 2021, and less than 0.01 percent" of travelers have devices searched. Lawson says searches can be conducted to "detect digital contraband, terrorism-related content, and information relevant to visitor admissibility." "It may be helpful for travelers to know when they weigh the decision of what device to bring with them when traveling into the United States that searches of electronic personal devices are not new, the policy and procedures for searches have not changed, and that the likelihood of a search has not increased and remains exceedingly rare," Lawson says."
Searches of electronic devices at U.S. ports of entry have risen sharply, exceeding 55,000 in the latest 12-month period and marking the first time annual searches passed 50,000. Between April and June CBP searched 14,899 devices, and between July and September 16,173 phones were searched. Of the roughly 55,000 searches, 51,061 were basic and 4,363 were advanced. CBP states the numbers are consistent with increases since 2021, involve less than 0.01 percent of travelers, and can be used to detect digital contraband, terrorism-related content, or information relevant to admissibility. Federal courts remain split on whether advanced phone searches require warrants.
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