Are you going to the USA? Just make sure you've not said anything nasty about Trump or your phone might get searched and you won't be allowed in

[cakeorwine]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/19/trump-musk-french-scientist-detained

I wonder what he said in his private messages that were looked at when US Border Agents looked at his phone.

“I learned with concern that a French researcher” on assignment for the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) “who was traveling to a conference near Houston was denied entry to the United States before being expelled”, Philippe Baptiste, France’s minister of higher education and research, said in a statement on Monday to Agence France-Presse published by Le Monde. “This measure was apparently taken by the American authorities because the researcher’s phone contained exchanges with colleagues and friends in which he expressed a personal opinion on the Trump administration’s research policy,” the minister added.

"Another AFP source said that US authorities accused the French researcher of “hateful and conspiratorial messages”. He was reportedly also informed of an FBI investigation, but told that “charges were dropped” before being expelled."

Clearly some people might need a burner phone. And be careful of your social media use.

I love how the Trump administration are the protectors of free speech.

in no way are they following the Dictators playbook, by purging those who criticise them.. whist having full control of the Judiciary, ensuring total compliance with their own world view

…would that get me in ??? Thought TBF, I would sooner have a long weekend in North Korea.

O dear, I loathe and detest the lying tangerine man and have no plans to visit. However, if Elon manages surveillance all telecommunications globally, I'll probably be disappeared, as I diss him regularly and quite rightly too.

Clearly many people get into the USA and they don't check everyone's phones. '
But I wonder what made them check this person's phone. They have the right to do this if you want to get into the USA.

There's been an update to the US travel advice on the UK travel advice website

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa/entry-requirements

You should comply with all entry, visa and other conditions of entry. The authorities in the US set and enforce entry rules strictly. You may be liable to arrest or detention if you break the rules.

Doesn't mention phones though.

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/03/20/french-researcher-denied-entry-to-us-for-expressing-personal-opinion-on-trump-policies_6739346_4.html

" The source said the scientist in the space sector underwent a random check on arrival, during which his work computer and personal phone were searched, and messages referring to Donald Trump's administration's treatment of scientists were found. Authorities told him they had found messages "that express hatred towards Trump and can be qualified as terrorism," the source said. His professional and personal equipment was confiscated and he was sent back to Europe the following day."

They can take your phone and ask for the password and the codes and for access to your SM and passwords at entry points to USA.
You can refuse, within reason, but you might find yourself on the way straight back home with a no fly marker on your passport for any return to the USA.
behold the land of freedom.

I live very close to the border. Not only would I not visit the US for personal reasons (as part of the boycott) but I think I'd have to decline work trips, too. It doesn't appear to be a safe country to even attempt to enter, at the moment, particularly if you've been critical of Trump (which I most certainly have been).

I wouldn't even dream of going there with the current lunatic and his cronies in charge.

I despise the President and live in the U.S. but there has to be more to this story than they just randomly searched his phone, he must have been somehow flagged for something. If you have ever flown into the U.S. there are barely enough people to even check passports let alone look through peoples phones and understand things that I am assuming were in another language. Concerning nonetheless but I do suspect a lot of these things have always happened we are just getting a lot of press coverage because of Trump’s crackdowns. The UK travel warning basically just says follow the rules so it isn’t like they are telling people not to travel

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/20/europe/french-researcher-expelled-trump-intl-latam/index.html

"If an individual has material discovered on their electronic media that raises flags during an inspection, it can result in further analysis. Claims that such decisions are politically motivated are completely unfounded,” Hilton Beckham, CBP Assistant Commissioner of Public Affairs, said in a statement.

How does sending people who have messages on their phones that meet the criteria of terrorism back out of the country make it less 'safe'?

If counties let terrorists in, it would less safe, surely?

If they start doing this on a regular basis then an awful lot of people are going to be denied entry!

Who had messages of terrorism?

Apparently the messages " messages referring to Donald Trump's administration's treatment of scientists were found. Authorities told him they had found messages "that express hatred towards Trump and can be qualified as terrorism"

What qualifiies as terrorism?

I am carrying on a 3 generation family tradition by calling a Cheet Trump names. Great auntie started it when she was living in Queens.

I'm not doubting this story. I've been profiled for search flying back into the US enough I can believe they would look at his phone and deny entry.

You couldn't pay me to visit America. Not until Trump is out of power.

That’s not very free speechy.

Terrorism is defined as using violence to change h to he fabric of society.

If he's a terrorist why wasn't he arrested or arrested in France?

I am sure we will be seeing the messages soon - and people will be able to draw their own opinions.

If "express hatred toward Trump" can qualify as terrorism, then then it's not safe for someone who expressed hatred of Trump to travel there - not least given that there now seem to be a pattern of foreign nationals (even US greencard holders) being detained (quite possibly unlawfully) by ICE.

What constitutes terrorism? In this case it was because the scientist dared to express his dislike of the US dictator and his policies. It all sounds a bit like North Korea.

They're redefining terrorism to include criticism of Trump and protesting Tesla. Classic fascist playbook

BTW UK border police also search phones and laptops, usually looking for signs of illegally working or intent to overstay. Not equating just saying it's not unusual to look at phones

Free Speech is dead in the US now.😟

To provide some perspective. If you have done nothing wrong and showing no red flags. You have nothing to worry about.

Anything being actioned is being done so by following section 8 of this INA on inadmissability and deportability.
For awareness, this INA has been around longer than Trump has been in politics and you can see exactly when and what sections amendments have been made.

The media like to omit so many details currently, just so it can match an agenda.

Further awareness, CBP will ask if they have permission to view your phone IF they pull you into secondary.
To get pulled into secondary, you will need to be showing some kind of red flags.
There is more to this story than what is being released to the media.

uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title8-section1227&num=0&edition=prelim

My mum is heartbroken. She says she'll never be in the US again.