CBP searched a record number of phones at the US border last year
The recent increase in searches at the border has been largely driven by increases over the past six months. Between April and June, CBP searched 14,899 devices, a record high for any quarter of the year. However, the most recent figures show that the increase has continued: Newly released CBP statistics show that between July and September, 16,173 phones were searched.
Over the past decade, the number of phone and electronic searches conducted at the border has increased — with increases during several political administrations. Statistics released by CBP show that in 2015, 8,503 searches were conducted. As of 2018, the number of annual searches has increased from about 30,000 to more than 55,000 this year. The new figures are the first time searches have surpassed 50,000.
CBP spokeswoman Rhonda Lawson says its most recent search numbers are “consistent with an increase from 2021, with less than 0.01 percent” of travelers searching the devices. Lawson says searches can be conducted for “identification of digital goods, terrorism-related content and visitor admission information.”
“It may be helpful for travelers to know what to bring when traveling to the U.S. Searching of personal electronic devices is not new, the policy and procedures have not changed, and the likelihood of being searched has not increased and is very rare,” Lawson said.
Of the 55,000 device searches conducted in the past 12 months, the vast majority (51,061) of these searches were basic searches, including a total of 4,363 advanced device searches, a 3% increase over FY2024.
Federal courts are divided on whether sophisticated telephone searches require a warrant. The answer can vary by airport. The 11th and 8th Circuits allow suspicionless searches of phones, while the 4th and 9th Circuits require reasonable suspicion for enhanced and forensic searches. Recent district court decisions in New York have gone further and required probable cause.
Several incidents involving tourists, including a French scientist whose phone was allegedly searched to find out if he had criticized Trump, have shown how easily heightened screening can be drawn into international controversy. In June, a 21-year-old Norwegian tourist was denied entry to Newark Liberty International Airport because his phone contained a famous meme that Vice President J.J.
CBP disputes many of these accounts, but the impression abroad is clear: The U.S. is becoming a tougher — if not more hostile — place to visit.
