Protecting Privacy in the US Amidst Immigrant and Activist Crackdown by the Trump Administration
Crossing Borders and Protesting under Trump: What You Need to Know
In the age of Trump, civil liberties have faced an unprecedented threat, with vulnerable groups like immigrants, tourists, and activists bearing the brunt. As US law doesn't grant these individuals the same protections as citizens, it's essential to be prepared when dealing with US immigration agents, particularly at the border.
Border Crossings: A Vulnerable Point
The US border presents a critical point of vulnerability for those targeted by Trump's crackdown. The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) can search travelers and their electronic devices without a warrant or probable cause, raising distinct privacy concerns due to their increased authority at the border [1].
Take the case of Lebanese physician, Rasha Alawieh, an assistant professor at Brown University, who was detained and eventually deported upon re-entering the US in March, with CBP agents allegedly discovering images related to Hezbollah on her phone [2]. Despite her attempts to explain her stance and lack of support for the paramilitary group, she was deported with no evidence of any connection to Hezbollah.
Tom Bowman, policy counsel at the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT), advises travelers to be cautious, as compliance with requests might be advisable for those at risk of deportation. However, minimizing the amount of data carried is essential for everyone [2]. Some travelers utilize travel-only devices, store essential information in the cloud, or remove sensitive apps and files to limit data exposure [2].
Social Media Surveillance: A Growing Concern
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been monitoring social media to target student protesters supporting Palestine, posing a significant risk for immigrants, particularly on student visas [3]. In March 2021, Badar Khan Suri, a postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University, was seized by ICE upon returning home following a Ramadan iftar. ICE accused Suri of "spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism on social media", an allegation his lawyers have denied [3].
Two days earlier, US Citizenship and Immigration Services announced plans to screen social media accounts of people applying for permanent residence and non-citizens affiliated with educational institutions for evidence of "antisemitic activity" [3].
Protesting under Trump: Punishments and Concerns
Though the Trump administration has not yet invoked the Insurrection Act, it has been punishing protesters, primarily non-citizens at the moment. Columbia University student activist, Mahmoud Khalil, is one of many facing deportation due to his involvement in pro-Palestinian protests. The increasing targeting of protesters by the government demands vigilance and caution [4].
Cornell University student and activist Momodou Taal had his student visa revoked, and Columbia student and activist Yunseo Chung, a legal permanent resident, has also been targeted by ICE [4]. During protests, federal agents may use video surveillance, social media monitoring, facial recognition, or geolocation data to identify participants.
To protect privacy and diminish the risk of being targeted, Graham Vivian King suggests several precautions, such as using airplane mode during protests, encrypting communication via apps like Signal, and being mindful of what information is accessible on social media [4].
With growing concerns about privacy and increased government surveillance, it's crucial for individuals to be aware of their rights and take appropriate measures when crossing the border or protesting.
- The heightened authority of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the US border raises distinct privacy concerns, as they can search travelers and their electronic devices without a warrant or probable cause.
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been monitoring social media to target student protesters supporting Palestine, posing a significant risk for immigrants, particularly on student visas.
- In the age of Trump, immigrants who are protesters, like Mahmoud Khalil from Columbia University, are facing deportation for their involvement in pro-Palestinian protests.
- One way to protect privacy and diminish the risk of being targeted is by using airplane mode during protests, encrypting communication via apps like Signal, and being mindful of what information is accessible on social media.
- Unintentionally, an individual may confiscate important documentation when complying with requests from US immigration agents at the border, emphasizing the need for careful consideration when dealing with them.
