Non-U.S. Citizens More Likely To Have Devices Checked

Non-U.S. citizens are over three times more likely to have their devices checked at the U.S. border than those who hold a U.S. passport. Data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows that of the 47,047 electronics devices checks in the fiscal year of 2024, running from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024, 36,506 were of non-U.S. citizens, while 10,541 were of U.S. citizens.

On average, searches have historically been relatively rare. Of the total 421 million passengers processed at U.S. ports of entry last year, around 0.011 percent had their electronic devices searched. Ports of entry include international airports, road and rail crossings on land borders and major seaports, and are places where travelers can legally enter the country.

However, the number of searches, which includes the checking of mobile phones, computers, cameras, or other electronics, has been on the rise over the past decade. An increase in annual passenger footfall likely plays a part, with the dip in the number of device checks in 2020 and 2021 mirroring a decrease in travelers those years due to pandemic-related restrictions. But this reason alone does not explain why the number of searches in 2024 more than doubled since 2016, and increased more than five fold since 2015. In the latter year, around 382 million travelers were processed at U.S. ports of entry and the devices of 8,503 travelers were checked, working out to an average of around 0.002 percent.

So far, data for only Q1 of FY2025 has been released, showing that 12,092 border searches of electronic devices were conducted between October 1-December 31, 2024. Since this time period is prior to the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, it remains to be seen how the number of checks has changed with the new administration. However, the recent string of cases of U.S. tousist and work visa holders having been detained on arrival to the U.S. have raised concerns that there has been a shift, with the country now carrying out greater scrutiny than before.