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Warning if you are not US citizen coming to US

Posted by (Placentia, CA) on

On March 9, 2025, a French scientist from the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) was denied entry into the United States after U.S. immigration officials discovered private messages on his phone that were critical of President Donald Trump. The scientist had arrived in Houston to attend a conference, likely the 56th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. During a routine inspection at the airport, authorities reviewed his electronic devices and interpreted his critical messages as potential security threats, leading to his detention and subsequent deportation the following day.

You might want to wipe your phone clean. US Customs can ask to see your phone for any reason if you are not a citizen. Often they just look on the phone to see where you are staying and have the contact information in your phone. This is the first time I have heard them look for political information on whether you support our President or not.

Posted by
260 posts

It might be worth leaving the phone at home and bringing a different one just for communication while you’re gone. Or buy a cheap prepaid one when you arrive.

Posted by
5974 posts

This case has already been mentioned in a previous thread, and was also mentioned in a viral video of a speech made by a French member of the European Parliament, who wants the US to return the Statue of Liberty. And not for nothing, the French scientist's case is not the only incident to have raised concern over the ______ (fill in the blank) actions of US border agents in recent weeks. It's no longer refugees and immigrants; now they are after tourists and business people. I'm sure business people and scientists have laptops that would be devoid of personal activity. Harder to do with their phones, unless they have one solely for travel.

Posted by
1761 posts

No problem. I, and almost everyone in Canada I know, have no intention of travelling to the US in the foreseeable future.

Posted by
2507 posts

A reminder of the discretionary power Immigration Officials wield.
I just bought tickets for a trip to Canada.
Maybe I need to scrub my own phone before returning to the U.S.

Posted by
101 posts

Limited information. I'm waiting to find out what exactly that message stated on the phone before I form an opinion. The information is too vague, especially when there was another post where once additional information was provided, it was hmmm, not exactly the same story as was initially presented.

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