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This time, though… this time it was very different. This time, they searched the car we were riding in three times. They interrogated me four times. They took my wallet, and made copies (in plain sight) of every credit card in my wallet. They took my computer, and made copies of the contents of my entire hard drive, including intimate letters between me and my wife, emails, pictures, and other writings and documents. They went through my cell phone, and disappeared into a “lab” in the back after asking me if it was password protected. They gawked over the three of us (my in-laws as well) as they all poured into the “lab”. Several of them pointed at us over and over again as other agents (12 or so in total) came in to watch as they interrogate their suspect.

When you come back into the United States with a United States Passport, you are an American citizen on American soil. I'm not sure how we American citizens ever gave up our rights under the fourth amendment

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

... under such circumstances but I guess we did. But we only did as I understand it to make sure that proper duties were being paid on any goods we might be importing. Looking at files on ones computer and making copies of credit cards has nothing to do with Customs.

If this story is true, it is an outrage.

ML/NJ

If this story is true, it is an outrage.

And it is another statist goal achieved by playing to conservative emotional responses. There is an unbroken string of these types of unconstitutional statist dream laws dating back to the 70's, and the GOP is 100% responsible - for elevating the need to score cheap political points with the base above an unshakable faith in liberty.

Neither faction of the Federal Government Party minds the slide into totalitarianism, as long as their offices and personal wealth are not affected.

“When you come back into the United States with a United States Passport, you are an American citizen on American soil. I’m not sure how we American citizens ever gave up our rights under the fourth amendment”

FRiend, by law the port of entry is not “american soil” until you prove your citizenship/status and the officer decides to let you in.

ml/nj:When you come back into the United States with a United States Passport, you are an American citizen on American soil.
“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

You are exactly right!
Having organizations and rules that are extraconstitutional (Beyond what is provided for in the Cnstitution) has got to STOP! We have a War on Terror, BATFE, ICE, CBP, DEA etc All of which act like the Bill of Rights does not apply to them.