Sound advice, and it’s exactly what I do every trip. But that’s not what I asked.
Best way to avoid getting harassed by immigration?
- Thread starter figuroxxx
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Simple. Have quick direct answers when the officer asks you questions. Do not show nervousness and hesitation. Like if asked why are you visiting Montreal? Just go I am visiting my friend here who lives in Westmount and I am also going to check out the casino here to see how it compares to Vegas. Just like that you are not going to get flagged. I was asked once if I was going to strip clubs and such. I just went straight up and say maybe it depends on how I do at the casino. Then tell them how surprising it is to see them all over St. Catherine compared to how taboo they are in the U.S. Then throw the question back at the officer and say hey any recommendations? You seem to know alot about them. Lol. Turn things into a simple direct conversation instead of thinking it as some sort of interrogation.
I was answering to the question and concern of the starter of this thread. I didn’t read your post so I wasn’t answering to that. Now let me look…..
Greatwaloo,
See this, it seems like your question has been the subject of hot litigation by civil liberties groups in the federal district courts, but it seems that the latest Court of Appeals ruling was in favor of the government being able to do these searches:
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www.google.com
legalservicesincorporated.com
Are you interested in retaining an attorney to litigate the issue to the US Supreme Court to resolve the splits in the lower courts? That's your call. My guess is the government is cocky and will not back down because Trump stacked the Supreme Court with Judges who shared his view of tight border security. If you voted for Trump, this is what you signed up for. Given the 1st Circuit's decision in Alasaad, the Border Agents will keep searching phones until the US Supreme Court tells them to stop, and that ain't happening any time soon.
See this, it seems like your question has been the subject of hot litigation by civil liberties groups in the federal district courts, but it seems that the latest Court of Appeals ruling was in favor of the government being able to do these searches:
Border agents can search phones freely under new circuit court ruling
It reverses a landmark victory for privacy advocates.
www.google.com
In 2021, Can the Government Still Search My Phone at the Border?| Scott Legal, P.C.
The First Circuit Court of Appeals confirmed that government border officers can continue to search electronic devices at the border without a search warrant or probable cause.
legalservicesincorporated.com
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That answer is yes. Didn't happen to me but I know someone that had his phone checked coming back. This did not take place in Montreal but in Toronto.
Here’s my issue. I have work related items on my phone , emails, contacts, etc. and it’s a real bitch if I wipe my phone clean as I always do because I would have to get new authorizations from IT every time I travel. The better option is to set up my work stuff on another phone. That’s the reason for my question.Greatwaloo,
See this, it seems like your question has been the subject of hot litigation by civil liberties groups in the federal district courts, but it seems that the latest Court of Appeals ruling was in favor of the government being able to do these searches:
Border agents can search phones freely under new circuit court ruling
It reverses a landmark victory for privacy advocates.Are you interested in retaining an attorney to litigate the issue to the US Supreme Court to resolve the splits in the lower courts? That's your call. My guess is the government is cocky and will not back down because Trump stacked the Supreme Court with Judges who shared his view of tight border security. If you voted for Trump, this is what you signed up for. Given the 1st Circuit's decision in Alasaad, the Border Agents will keep searching phones until the US Supreme Court tells them to stop, and that ain't happening any time soon.In 2021, Can the Government Still Search My Phone at the Border?| Scott Legal, P.C.
The First Circuit Court of Appeals confirmed that government border officers can continue to search electronic devices at the border without a search warrant or probable cause.
In your situation it would be wise for you to carry two phones then. The work phone and the fun phone. Maybe with the fun phone you can go AT&T prepaid or something because they work in Canada too. Do you have a significant other? That maybe tricky but at least you can erase the fun phone.
^^^^^^^^ I do agree with all you said! I would add that I never keep naked pictures on my phone, in any circumstance, could be embarrassing sometime... For the emails, why not use an address restricted to "special purpose" and accessing this address only via website and not linking this account to your mail application within your phone. In general, I would never assume how a customs agent will react unless you know him. Even joking might not be the thing to do... You never know what happened to him before. And keep your answers short and factual. Let say you pretend visiting a friend and it's false. The agent may ask for details, name, address... and you are then in deep shit. Better saying you will find an hotel downtown when there. Don't do this when it is known that hotels are full as on The F1 Grand-Prix event. If you have a reservation, you are all set.
You are preaching to the choir. I have clients' highly confidential emails on my phone. All my clients like to do business by email. My reading of the Alasaad decision is that it grants the border guards power to do sweeping advanced searches, and demand passwords. From my own experience with interacting with these US border guards, invoking client confidentiality is not going to do shit. The choices are cleanse the phone or get a burner. It's not a happy choice for anyone, but it is what it is. If you voted for Trump, this is what was signed up for. The southern US border is where the security issues are, but it does not matter. The policy will be applied everywhere.
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Blaming Trump for border agents searching your phone and/or laptop is ridiculous. They have been doing this way before Trump and will continue to do it into perpetuity
I should just put the first few pictures of me in a lime green thong, while he bleaches his eyes I can scoot across the border
Sound advice, and this is exactly what I'm struggling with. Carrying two phones just for the roughly 10 ish trips to Montreal a year is definitely an inconvenience. It's nice to have one iPhone that can use two different numbers (using dual sim technology) for personal/work and having access to work email via an app is very convenient. I'm single so carrying an additional phone wouldn't become an issue, just a pain in the ass. This is what it boils down to I guess, using a separate work phone so I can nuke my personal phone with all the damaging texts to agencies and SP's or figure out a better way. Thanks.
Your right about things being "too clean". But, I'd rather have to explain why there's nothing on my phone than having to go through my phone deleting stuff and hoping that there's nothing left on it that's going to jam me up. Not looking more normal is a good point, but my way is no different than crossing with only a burner phone, except I wouldn't need to pay for a burner phone. It's also a little more than that to me. Fuck big brother's ability to look through my phone, demanding passwords, looking through my social media, pictures, all of it. That's my business. Border agents are permitted to look through my phone, I'm permitted to protect my privacy.
In my view, crossing any border with a fully loaded phone is bad for business. If you would have done this 20 years ago it would be like carrying 10 file cabinets loaded with all of your personal shit in a trailer behind your car for border agents to inspect. To me both sounds ridiculous.
Hmmm yeah if you are an iPhone user doing that dual sim thing will be somewhat a hassle since not many carriers do that e-sim thing. But if you are an Android user you would have no issues. The newly just released Samsung A52 Dual Sim will fit you nicely since this phone can handle two sim cards. You can pick one up on Amazon or going to BHphoto. It is under $350 for the 4G model.
I have crossed the border dozens of times over the last few years (before covid) and not once has a border agent on either side asked to see my cell phone. Not once. Never. Where does this nonsense even come from?
It's hit and miss. There is no guarantee that they will or will not ask you for your phone or anything more than where you live, what you do for a living and what you are bringing across the border. But you could be asked for your phone. You have to ask yourself the same question Clint Eastwood once famously uttered after not remembering whether he had fired 5 shots or 6 at the punk: do you feel lucky?
If you are going to Montreal to visit the Montreal casino, the only possible answer to this question is "yes", otherwise you shouldn't be going. However we all know how the punk answered the question.
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Once everything opens up again simply say i'm going to visit the montreal Casino. A little tourism a little gambling. And if you come often. Actually go to casino get yourself a players loyalty card keep it in your wallet. Don't actually gambel just have it on you as an excuse why you are visiting so often
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