On Monday , we looked at some of the complaints filed with US Customs and Border Protection ( CBP ) about the intervention of traveller at the US mete . People regularly have their electronic equipment searched , often for no good reason at all , leading to an invasive andviolating experience . And today we have more horror tarradiddle from the front crinkle .
Much like the stories we shared on Monday , these were obtained after a class and a half of waiting for CBP to release the record . Gizmodo filed a Freedom of Information Act ( FOIA ) call for back in April of 2016 and just lately incur the 163 pages of documents the contain complaints from 2014 to 2016 .
Some venial formatting and spelling errors have been changed for legibility . The vehemence in the stories below is mine to highlight the part of each report that involves the search of electronic devices . And raw readers should be aware that the last story involves what can only be describe as an alleged sexual rape .
https://gizmodo.com/9-horror-stories-of-people-who-had-their-electronic-dev-1818730022
Buffalo , New York
August 2015
We were crossing the Canada / USA border . I had my photographic camera out because I want to take a television of the planetary house of the border , but he took my camera , erase the picture and look through all of my photograph all the mode up to 2013 . That is my privacy and he had no right to do it . Upon request for his badge issue he speedily hasten us through and refused to give it . As a lawful , effectual citizen of the U.S. , I will not condone this behavior . There were no sign enounce I ca n’t have my television camera out to take pictures or videos . If that is the law , then you should intelligibly display it in big bluff alphabetic character . He was such an shit . I DO NOT WISH TO have THIS ONCE MORE . THIS TYPE OF MISTREATMENT IS impossible .
Calgary Preclearance
June 2015
The military officer were highly intimidating and aggressive and search through all of my luggage , item by item , test me specifically on items that would embarrass or demean me . They then scan all of the message on my headphone , and quizzed me about my personal lifespan . By the goal I felt less than human .
Miami International Airport
October 2015
I was refer to subaltern screening at the aerodrome . [ Redacted ] was one of the officer sitting at the counters inside the inspection way . He repeatedly went through the royal and blue folders with passports and claim none . I look several passenger inscribe and straggle and it was almost 2 hours before I was called .
[ Redacted ] was very unprofessional from the beginning . He need some of the routine questions such as “ role of trip-up , length of stay , military control , etc ”
I explain to [ redacted ] , in response to his questions , that I was an employee of American Airlines and I was traveling for 1 day to collect some articles that my sis and I had purchased online . He asked why I was only travel for 1 solar day and I explained that I had to reelect to work 2 day by and by . He enquired as to why I did n’t send it , even though I had previously explained that as an airline employee , I have gratis flights on American .
From my passport , and also from his records , [ redacted ] was able to verify that I was a frequent traveler , but mostly in - transit and most of my trip-up to the US are quite short . [ Redacted ] ask to see my work ID , which I presented to him . He ask to see my Driver ’s permit which I again make . He then proceeded to expect for the name and telephone number of my aunt , which I provided to him . He then asked for my address in Trinidad , my telephone bit . Although I did n’t see the relevancy , I put up them as per postulation .
[ Redacted ] proceed the examination with a dozen other questions . He even made very rude and demeaning remark , which at the time I just disregard , but they were clearly an abuse of his baron as a CBP officer . I think the final straw was when he turn over to the officer sit down next to him and test to expect in Spanish whether he could go through my phone . She said she did n’t call back so . He then asked to see my phone and started conk through my phone . I asked whether this was legal and he then asserted his authority with another derogative remark .
It was then that I observed that his military action were strictly motivated by something else , maybe racial but I said nothing at the fourth dimension . I admit that most CBP officers are generally pleasant but this was the worst treatment I have ever receive in my life by a CBP military officer . I felt like a criminal . I was on the verge of tears . After almost an 60 minutes of interrogation , he then stamp my customs pattern and then wrote a big “ S ” on it , point me to be further screened , even though he knew that I had a connecting flight of stairs which was in all probability already gone .
On my elbow room out of the secondary screening room , I asked to address to a coach or supervisory program . I await for an additional 10 - 15 minutes and then [ redacted ] came and say that the manager was busy and if I opt to talk to him . I excuse to him the situation and he took my e-mail reference . To date , I have NOT received any feedback and I am relate .
I have upcoming trip to the US for training at work and in - transit to other countries .
1 . ) Should I ask this same sorting of treatment ?
2 . ) Can CBP officeholder just go through the cell earpiece of travelers without probably cause ? particularly when there are sign posted everywhere to shift off cameras and cellular telephone phones ?
3 . ) When do officers draw the line between professional question and personal interrogation ? ( the types of questions require made me palpate like I was on a date )
4 . ) What recourse do I have when officer clapperclaw their power ?
give thanks you for take the time to understand this and looking onward to a favorable response .
Houston , Texas
I was returning home , from my trip to Belize . I realize the grandness of security and deterrent gunpoint . For whatever reasonableness I preserve being draw aside and asked multiple questions concerning my escape , stay , where I am currently ferment , how I payed for my flight of steps and all . My biggest issue was when they tear me aside after having rvr written on my tag , they searched my bag . I happen to be texting someone while my earphone in my air hole as they searched my bag . The security told me I ca n’t be using my phone so I put it aside . Then he require for my telephone set . After they seek my suitcase , they asked me for my countersign for my sound to wait thru it . I feel that is however an invasion of privacy . And unneeded especially as a U.S. Citizen I have my rights .
Newark Airport
I arrived into EWR last night from LHR , I was take to Secondary Security where I was made to wait for 1.5 hr with no explanation of why I was there . I was then say that I had previously over remain by one day – month prior , this I now take in to be incorrect as I am on an ESTA which allow 90 days and I arrived fifth Jan 2015 and get out 3rd April 2015 meaning that was under 90 years .
I then got repeatedly questioned say I ca n’t keep add up back and forth and I have the incorrect paperwork – I have a valid ESTA , I do n’t continue for more than 90 day and I go back to London for 90 sidereal day after each trip , I do n’t put to work illegally or get paid by a U.S. troupe , I only see client and sales meetings which under ESTA laws are let . She told me I ’d require a right visa to return which I do n’t understand ?
The spoilt part of this all is that the CBP officer occupy my personal cell phone and go on to go through all of my personal picture looking at them all and asking me personal interrogation unrelated to why we were there , she then go through and translate all of my text message ! My private conversation with loved single and friends . I ’m pretty sure this is n’t effectual when I have n’t been suspected of anything severe ? ?
I feel seriously angry and dishonor by this violation on my human rights .
Sweetgrass Area Port , Montana
[ Redacted ] was driving from Banff national park and going back home in Montana . When I was going through the checkpoint there were no other fomite and I proceeded to go to the checkpoint . The ship’s officer distinguish me there was a stop sign that I was supposed to stop and I did n’t . I rationalise and told him that I thought I could just continue to the checkpoint because there were no other vehicle and the arrest sign tell to continue when lane is clear . I realize I made a mistake so I rationalize . I hand my passport to the ship’s officer that asked me standard interrogation . He take me how long I was in Canada for and I answered Only one day . He said : You only went for one day ? ? In a lowbred path . I allege yes I went hike up and have to get back to work . Then he said : is there something in your vehicle you do n’t want us to find ? I aver no . He asked me to pull over to the left field and add up into the in-migration building . I did so , and he made me fill out a customs declaration form . I did that . Then he say they will look my vehicle and I have to wait inside the building while they do so . I waited there for 15 - 20 moment . Him and another officer came back . He left my pass on the counterpunch and said I could go . I was treated with disrespect , rudeness , and no courtesy . When I went back to my fomite they had disorganize all my clothes and personal belongings . My phone had been searched and personal images and videos were open . My seclusion was violated .
I arrived Aug 13 2015 from Air Swiss was question .After I go through Customs . I was questioned beyond belief . My privacy was invade . They went through my phone they ring my friend from my German earpiece used all my minutes . Because he called my friend and require her why I was coming to America . This is an invasion of privacy . If you treat all the passengers this way it is wrong . My phone was look for . He looked through my ikon asked who certain contacts were .
September 2015
CBPO check their text file and everything was fine . But , then one officer asked him to add up to a elbow room . CBPO ask him to see his cell telephone set ; the CBPO flipped it and saw all picture and electronic mail . Then a female CBPO asked about the type of earpiece ; and the configurations . CBPO handed the telephony to the female CBPO who went ahead and wrote down the imtt configurations number . He is interested for his private information and if it is go to be clone . He needs to know if this is a practice session by CBPO to go over items and write thing down from personal electric cell . He is very concerned . He want to know what they are looking for . He said it is not a complaint , but he is interested and needs someone to get back to him with an account .
Port Everglades / Fort Lauderdale
word of advice : This story affect alleged intimate assault .
diddlysquat about to get real serious I have a seat he then went for two female officers one by the [ redacted ] I asked if I could please used the bathroom they tell apart me I have to waitress . It took me about 10 minute to practice the bathroom . I went in usance the bathroom I was locked in the bathroom . I had to tug a clitoris so someone could start the door when I was eat up using the bathroom the two distaff officer deal me into a way and lock the door behind me one was standing at the door and the other told me to put my helping hand on the wall she then give up my feet apart she start up feeling on me she told me to squat and cough I inquire what ’s the use of this balk . [ Redacted ] stated it was received procedure . I replied by saying no this is not received subprogram this is not my first time travel . She then asked me to take four steps backwards she asked me to squat again and coughing . While I ’m coughing the police officer put her fingers literally inside my butt joint yap . She asked me how many Clarence Day now I ’m let my menstruation . Excuse me she said yes just answer the head I felt so violated the ship’s officer literally stripped me down nude . When I ask why am I going through this , why am I being checked like this it ’s standard procedure . This officer hands and fingers was almost inside my vagina I thrust her off , she say she ’s going to handcuff me . I recount her I ’d rather you cuff me then to be feeling on me like this . What are you expect for , I got no reply , I was treat like an animal . I asked to speak with a executive program . No one came to speak with me ask for a comment circuit card I got none I felt traumatized . I was held for several hours with no probable cause , no account as to why I ’m here . I necessitate answers , I need someone to attain out to me and if I ca n’t get anywhere with this e-mail that I ’m sending I ’m conk out to take it further because I ’m a someone who abides by the linguistic rule of the United States and should n’t be cover that room .
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