Re:U.S. customs agents are searching more cellphones
by floornicator on Friday January 05, 2018 @11:15PM
(#16083821)
Correct. Warrants aren’t needed at border crossings, since customs represents reasonable search and seizure.
The premise is that it’s not unreasonable to consider smuggling as a common behavior at border crossings, and civilian citizens are only protected from an unreasonable search by the fourth amendment.
They can hold you for long periods of time, irradiate you with x-rays and inspect bodily cavities with gloved fingers, or have medical personnel do it for them, and that’s all considered “reasonable” given the context of an international boundary.
The premise is that it’s not unreasonable to consider smuggling as a common behavior at border crossings, and civilian citizens are only protected from an unreasonable search by the fourth amendment.
They can hold you for long periods of time, irradiate you with x-rays and inspect bodily cavities with gloved fingers, or have medical personnel do it for them, and that’s all considered “reasonable” given the context of an international boundary.