Immigrant Daily

ACLU Requests Records Relating to Laptop Searches at the Border

Invoking Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a request before the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seeking records regarding its authority to search the laptops and other electronic devices of travelers without suspicion of wrongdoing. In July 2008, CBP issued its “Policy Regarding Border Search of Information,” which permits CBP to subject travelers to suspicionless searches and retain information contained in documents and electronic devices. Commenting on the violation of the constitutional rights of international travelers, Larry Schwartztol, staff attorney with the ACLU National Security Project, said “The disclosure of these records is necessary to better understand the extent to which U.S. border and customs officials may be violating the Constitution.” According to the ACLU’s request, providing government, the unfettered authority to search traveler’s personal documents and electronic devices is a violation of Forth Amendment privacy rights and the First Amendment freedoms of speech, inquiry and association.

For detailed information on ACLU FOIA request, please read: ACLU Request Records Relating to Laptop Searches at the Border