Locking down your phone does nothing for you… If they see that you have a phone and they can’t access it they simply won’t let you in the country regardless of who you are.
The only solution to this is to simply not have an electronic device when going through customs.
Overnight your cell phone to yourself if you’re that worried about it. Any other solution is superfluous and outright stupid.
If you’re entering the US through Mexico and they demand you unlock your phone and you refuse or it’s “locked down” you don’t win that conflict. You’re just a permanent resident of Mexico now because you’re not getting into the United States regardless of your citizenship status.
*regarding paragraph 1+4: this is true for travelers visiting the US (which is what the article is aimed at but, for clarity), but not returning citizens. They can hold the device, but have to fold and let citizens re-enter.
Also, an alternative to not carrying your device is to just wipe it before boarding/reaching your port of entry. Let them pretend to be Hollywood csi detectives and image a freshly-wiped phone. Then restore from a backup later.
Pursuant to CBP’s border search authority explained above, when presenting their effects for inspection, all travelers are obligated to present their electronic devices and the information resident on the device in a condition that allows for the examination of the device and its contents. If the electronic device cannot be inspected because it is protected by a passcode or encryption or other security mechanism, that device may be subject to exclusion, detention, or other appropriate action or disposition. Additionally, the traveler may face longer processing times to allow for CBP to access the contents of the device.
Taken directly from CBP’s website; regardless of any citizenship, or nationality, they can refuse to let you reenter the country until your device is searched. Period. I don’t know where this idea that “I’m an American, they can’t refuse to let me back into my own country!” narrative came from, but it is entirely fictitious. There are dozens of reasons for you to be refused reentry.
Locking down your phone does nothing for you… If they see that you have a phone and they can’t access it they simply won’t let you in the country regardless of who you are.
The only solution to this is to simply not have an electronic device when going through customs.
Overnight your cell phone to yourself if you’re that worried about it. Any other solution is superfluous and outright stupid.
If you’re entering the US through Mexico and they demand you unlock your phone and you refuse or it’s “locked down” you don’t win that conflict. You’re just a permanent resident of Mexico now because you’re not getting into the United States regardless of your citizenship status.
*regarding paragraph 1+4: this is true for travelers visiting the US (which is what the article is aimed at but, for clarity), but not returning citizens. They can hold the device, but have to fold and let citizens re-enter.
Also, an alternative to not carrying your device is to just wipe it before boarding/reaching your port of entry. Let them pretend to be Hollywood csi detectives and image a freshly-wiped phone. Then restore from a backup later.
Taken directly from CBP’s website; regardless of any citizenship, or nationality, they can refuse to let you reenter the country until your device is searched. Period. I don’t know where this idea that “I’m an American, they can’t refuse to let me back into my own country!” narrative came from, but it is entirely fictitious. There are dozens of reasons for you to be refused reentry.