3 ms·

> Claims that CBP is searching more electronic media due to the administration change are false. CBP’s search numbers are consistent with increases since 2021,

> Claims that CBP is searching more electronic media due to the administration change are false. CBP’s search numbers are consistent with increases since 2021, and less than 0.01% of travelers have their devices searched. These searches are conducted to detect digital contraband, terrorism-related content, and information relevant to visitor admissibility, all of which play a critical role in national security. I'm sure the CBP would never dare to lie about such things in a way that potentially puts their egomaniacal boss in a more favorable light than he deserves.

YZF 1y ago
In these sorts of situations you need to consider what is the more likely reality based on whatever limited data you have. A few things to consider: - Organizations take a while to change. Is it more likely that the CBP is operating more or less as it has been or that it had some dramatic changes? - Searching phones takes time and effort. To scale up this in a significant way while still supporting similar amount of traffic would require more people? extended waiting times? - Do you know people who travel to the US? Have they had their electronic devices searched? Have we seen a surge of stories about electronic devices being searched? The numbers they claim are less than ~450 a month (0.01% * 4.5M). Do we have evidence to suggest the scale is significantly different? - The CBP could simply have said nothing. What would be their reason for explicitly addressing this question? If it's a lie wouldn't they be concerned e.g. with needing to deal with this down the line? Do you think Trump reads these reports and rewards some person in the CBP for this? Feels very unlikely. - CBP is a huge org. 65k people or so. If there was some major change or lie then presumably it'd leak somehow?
- mrbombastic 1y ago
  You seem to be ignoring the very deliberate anti immigrant/foreigner shift in the political landscape, as well as deliberate intimidation tactics to silence opposition on certain topics. Sure in a vacuum it doesn’t make sense for a big organization to turn on a dime no but when the current admin is deliberately engaging in intimidation tactics against immigrants and visa holders having the CBP be more aggressive in enforcement makes perfect sense. And you don’t need high numbers to produce a chilling effect you just target the right people and let others see: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/us/politics/hasan-piker-twitch-questioned-trump-gaza.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=p&pvid=E5DA8379-D08D-4116-9F70-6675E787306C https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/us/politics/hasan-piker-t...

YZF 1y ago

In these sorts of situations you need to consider what is the more likely reality based on whatever limited data you have. A few things to consider: - Organizations take a while to change. Is it more likely that the CBP is operating more or less as it has been or that it had some dramatic changes? - Searching phones takes time and effort. To scale up this in a significant way while still supporting similar amount of traffic would require more people? extended waiting times? - Do you know people who travel to the US? Have they had their electronic devices searched? Have we seen a surge of stories about electronic devices being searched? The numbers they claim are less than ~450 a month (0.01% * 4.5M). Do we have evidence to suggest the scale is significantly different? - The CBP could simply have said nothing. What would be their reason for explicitly addressing this question? If it's a lie wouldn't they be concerned e.g. with needing to deal with this down the line? Do you think Trump reads these reports and rewards some person in the CBP for this? Feels very unlikely. - CBP is a huge org. 65k people or so. If there was some major change or lie then presumably it'd leak somehow?

mrbombastic 1y ago
You seem to be ignoring the very deliberate anti immigrant/foreigner shift in the political landscape, as well as deliberate intimidation tactics to silence opposition on certain topics. Sure in a vacuum it doesn’t make sense for a big organization to turn on a dime no but when the current admin is deliberately engaging in intimidation tactics against immigrants and visa holders having the CBP be more aggressive in enforcement makes perfect sense. And you don’t need high numbers to produce a chilling effect you just target the right people and let others see: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/us/politics/hasan-piker-twitch-questioned-trump-gaza.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=p&pvid=E5DA8379-D08D-4116-9F70-6675E787306C https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/us/politics/hasan-piker-t...