USA visit visa

[capsat]

Do they check your mobile phone as well?

[krafiq]

I find it hard to digest. What do they say? Hand over and unlock your phone because we want to run forensic on it? Isn't that invasion of privacy?

[Xulfiqar]

You dont have your phone when you go for interview,

Atleast itn my time, they asked me to relieve it at the receiving desk with it turned off. You collect it on way back,

[Xulfiqar]

Bte

Invasion of privacy laws are dependant of the soil you are standing on.

[usman_arooq2]

As far as my understanding goes

They are allowed to unlock a phone if it unlocks by owner's biometrics (fingerprint, iris or face unlock)

But if the device unlocks only with a pin or password then they need owner's consent to search the phone. They may add psychological pressure e.g. not allowing entry.

[capsat]

@usman_arooq2 before pandemic it was a very common practice of customs & border control staff at US entry point to ask randomly 'sir please step aside, unlock your this bag (an unknown sticker is already appearing over it which is new for you) also please unlock phone / laptop place it on table' - declining is not an option., specially if flights are coming from across atlantic gulf carriers.

[usman_arooq2]

I know, regarding luggage one can't decline at all

My opinion was about smartphones, they can detain or threat for refusing entry (or even refuse it in some cases) which is kinda like forcing people who are desperate to enter the US to just let immigration officers invade their privacy.

But they can't actually force you to unlock the phone without your consent if it unlocks by a pin/password (something you know)

Neither they can arrest you (but they can detain you) for not unlocking it unless they already have linked you to some case or crime.

In case the device unlocks by biometrics (something you are) then they are allowed to go through contents as if u presented them an unlocked device.

Again that's if officers are following the law.

If they already have received specific instructions (regarding against an individual or against flights coming from specific geographic area) or decide to abuse their powers then who is stopping them for such behavior against citizens of countries like ours.

[Xulfiqar]

If you are flagged at a border you have to comply with their request, That flag may even come from your own social media account or your online activities or you horsing around in the airport.

The border patrol can ask you to unlock your laptop(s) and phones on which they will search for the flag issue. This even happens on sea and also road borders.

e.g. if you are a loud mouth on social media and have strong and violent political opinions then you are on high risk to get flagged.

forget USA, ever been to Japan? their border and customs is the absolute worst when it comes to this.

[VCheng]

forget USA, ever been to Japan? their border and customs is the absolute worst when it comes to this.

LOL. Forget Japan. Try Israel.

[chinyoti]

My friend was scrutinized at Hongkong / China border similarly.

His phone was plugged on a system and was displayed on a big screen questioning him about pictures in his phone.

[Nabs]

I had plans of traveling the world throughout my life. But after going through the hassle of visas and airports, I dropped that idea fast.

[Xulfiqar]

oh yes, thats always numero uno.

[Xulfiqar]

yeah,

plugs phone, sees picture of busted BMW 6 cylinder engine with windowed block.

Q - whats this
A - busted engine
Q - why is it here
A - Its funny as hell.
Q - O_o

[chinyoti]

He had tons and tons of passport pictures in his phones.

Family, extended family, office staff.

[nfssaad]

thats not normal...

[chinyoti]

They could call you for a random check, rest comes later. What i heard is when you through immigration the system can randomly filter you out

If you get a green chit your clear go,

[Xulfiqar]

passport pictures? as in the small little square pictures you paste on forms?

[chinyoti]

Scanned passports.

[Xulfiqar]

Scanned passports of colleagues, office workers efc etc.

Shabaash.

And you need explanation on why it was flagged?