Cautions for Travelers: Rights Group Advises on US Entry and Mobile Device Use

Traveling to the United States is often a straightforward process for German citizens; however, recent incidents have raised concerns about the scrutiny that travelers may face, particularly regarding their mobile devices. The American civil liberties organization, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), has issued essential advice for individuals preparing to enter the country.

Travelers are urged to be well-prepared and to have a plan before arriving at customs. This guidance applies not only to tourists but also to students with appropriate visas and professionals entering the U.S. for work. A key focus of this advice is the treatment of personal electronic devices such as smartphones and laptops.

While most travelers do not undergo extensive screening upon entry, statistics indicate that out of 420 million entries to the U.S. in 2024, only 12 million faced a secondary interview, and merely 47,000 experienced a more thorough examination. Reports suggest a shift in how border officials exercise their powers under the Trump administration, despite little change in the laws governing these practices.

Recent cases have highlighted the potential risks, as three German nationals were detained upon their arrival in the U.S. due to heightened scrutiny. According to EFF spokesperson Sophia Cope, the frequency of electronic device inspections has increased in recent years, and it remains to be seen how this trend will evolve in the current year.

The entry process typically begins with a customs officer asking routine questions regarding the traveler's purpose and checking their passport. However, if something appears suspicious or random, the officer may proceed to a secondary level of questioning, which could include examining the battery compartment of a laptop or requesting to unlock a mobile phone.

This situation places travelers in a difficult position. They may choose to refuse access to their devices, which can result in the officer seizing the device and delaying the entry process, or they can comply and allow the officer to view apps, emails, photos, and even copy data from their devices. The rare third level of inspection allows officers to connect devices to their computers, enabling them to gather significantly more data, which can be stored for up to 15 years and accessed by numerous customs officials.

To mitigate these risks, experts recommend setting mobile devices to airplane mode prior to customs inspections and avoiding Wi-Fi connections. This precaution ensures that officials can only view the data stored directly on the device, rather than accessing information saved in the cloud. Additionally, customs officers are permitted to search only public social media accounts, not private ones, raising further considerations for travelers about how they present themselves online.

German tourists typically enter the U.S. using the ESTA authorization, which requires prior completion of a form that also inquires about social media accounts. Thus, it is crucial for travelers to contemplate their responses to potentially challenging situations at the border. While carrying an almost empty secondary device might raise suspicion, travelers might consider leaving certain devices at home to avoid complications.