US Citizens Detail Lengthy Customs Questioning, Sparking Rights Debate

U.S. Citizens Raise Concerns Over Customs and Border Protection Practices Videos circulating on social media show U.S. citizens detailing lengthy and, in their view, unwarranted questioning by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents upon returning to the country. These accounts have raised concerns about travelers' rights and sparked a debate about potential political targeting. Sav, a content creator, described being held and questioned about her social media presence and income, stating, "I was, like, so scared in those moments. I was like, ‘Why is this, like, happening?’" Azalia, a flight attendant, also shared her experience of being held for 20 minutes, expressing discomfort over questions about her salary. She added, "I was extremely nervous. I don't really understand why that's relevant at all." The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) responded to these concerns, stating that claims of political motivation are baseless and that the searches are consistent with increases since 2021 and less than 0.01% of travelers have their devices searched. An immigration attorney interviewed in the NBC News video explained that U.S. citizens do not have the same constitutional rights at the border until they have officially entered the country. While the DHS insists these measures are designed to protect national security, the experiences of Sav and Azalia, along with others, underscore the anxiety and uncertainty felt by some U.S. citizens during CBP screenings. Further investigation into the CBP's practices is needed to address these concerns and ensure fair treatment of all travelers.