Directives on Border Searches of Electronic Media
New directives enhance and clarify oversight for searches of computers and other electronic media at U.S. ports of entry—a critical step designed to bolster the Department’s efforts to combat transnational crime and terrorism while protecting privacy and civil liberties.
The new directives address the circumstances under which U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can conduct border searches of electronic media—consistent with the Department’s Constitutional authority to search other sensitive non-electronic materials, such as briefcases, backpacks and notebooks, at U.S. borders.
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CBP Border Search of Electronic Devices Containing Information
(PDF, 10 pages - 4.87 MB) -
ICE Border Searches of Electronic Media (PDF, 10 pages - 453 KB)
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Adobe Acrobat (PDF)This page was last reviewed / modified on September 14, 2011.