CBP Searched a Record Number of Phones at the US Border Over the Past Year

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has conducted a record number of phone searches at the border over the past year, with the total number increasing by 17% compared to the previous fiscal year. This upward trend has been driven primarily by an increase in searches over the past six months.

According to newly published statistics from CBP, there were around 55,000 electronic device searches conducted during the full fiscal year of 2025, which is up from approximately 47,000 during the government's 2024 fiscal year. Of these searches, a majority - 51,061 - were basic in nature and involved manual scrolling through phone data.

However, more invasive forensic searches accounted for only a small percentage of total searches, with around 4,363 being advanced device searches. These advanced searches use external tools to copy and analyze data, often bypassing device locks and retrieving deleted files.

The CBP points out that these electronic personal devices are subject to search under their policy and procedures for searches, which have not changed over the past few years. The likelihood of a search is said to remain exceedingly rare.

Despite this, international visitors have decreased in recent months due to Trump's immigration crackdown and increased law enforcement surveillance capabilities. Some travelers have reported long detentions or alleged they were denied entry based on messages on their phones. However, CBP disputes many of these claims.

Overall, while the total number of phone searches may seem small compared to millions of people entering the US each year, it highlights concerns among international visitors about increased scrutiny and surveillance at border checkpoints.

I'm not sure I'm super cool with all these phone searches happening at the border . Like, I get that safety first and all, but 17% increase in just one year? That's pretty steep for me . It's like, what's next? More thorough checks of luggage too? Anyway, it seems to me that some people might feel a bit uneasy about the whole thing, especially when you consider how long detentions have been going on lately . Guess it's good to be aware of these changes and, you know, maybe ask questions if you're planning to travel soon?

I'm literally shook by this news like what even is going on with our borders right now?! I mean, 17% increase in phone searches? That's not small talk, that's a major red flag . And let's be real, it's not just the number of searches that's the issue, it's the fact that so many of these searches are basic - like, what's the point of even doing them if you're just going to scroll through someone's phone data manually?

And don't even get me started on those advanced forensic searches... Like, I get it, security is important and all that, but do we really need to be copying and analyzing people's personal data like it's no big deal?! That's just creepy and invasive.

And have you seen the stats? 4,363 advanced searches in a whole year? That's like, what, 0.08% of the total number of searches? It's not even a drop in the bucket. And yet we're still freaking out about it because some people are reporting long detentions or being denied entry based on their phone messages...

I don't know, maybe I'm just reading too much into this, but to me, it seems like our border patrol is more interested in sifting through our personal lives than actually keeping us safe. And that's just a major concern for anyone who's ever traveled internationally or has friends and family abroad .

Anyway, I'm not sure what the solution is here... maybe we need to rethink our whole approach to border security? Or perhaps we just need to be more aware of our rights as travelers and speak up if we see something that feels off? Whatever it is, I know one thing - this news has got me feeling super uneasy .

idk why ppl r so worried bout their phones gettin searched at borders . stats show 51k basic searches & only 4k advanced ones, thats like 0.07% of total visitors . but still, its creepy when u think about it . maybe the numbers r lower cuz more ppl are gettin vetted thru online screening apps before they even reach borders . anyway, its def not as bad as ppl make it out to be... unless u have something shady on ur phone, lol . btw, did u know the number of arrests at borders is still super low? around 200k in 2025, which is like 0.03% of total visitors . lets keep things in perspective, folks!

The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that our phones are basically useless when it comes to keeping us safe from government snoops... like this crazy 17% increase in phone searches over the past year is just the tip of the iceberg . Those basic manual searches just make me wonder how many innocent people got wrongly detained or denied entry because their messages didn't align with someone's "security profile". And what's up with all these advanced forensic searches? It sounds like they're basically fishing for anything incriminating... meanwhile, international visitors are getting chill about entering the US due to all this surveillance .

Like, I know some people are thinking that 55,000 electronic device searches is a lot, but honestly, it's still pretty low considering how many people try to cross the border every year. I mean, think about it, 17% increase in just one fiscal year is actually kind of impressive? It also makes sense that most searches were basic, like scrolling through phone data, because let's be real, that's what most people are hiding on their phones anyway

And don't even get me started on the advanced forensic searches - I'm all for keeping the country safe, but 4,363 out of 55,000? That's still super low, if you ask me . And let's not forget that CBP is saying it's all part of their policy and procedures, which hasn't changed much in recent years

What really gets my goat is when people say they were detained for no reason or that their messages were the reason they got denied entry... like, come on? You can't just believe everything you hear online CBP says it's all about scrutiny and surveillance, but honestly, I think there's more to it than that

the us customs and border protection's record-breaking phone searches are giving me some major chills like what's next? we're already seeing more tech being used in surveillance at borders, now they're gonna start using it on our personal devices too? and its not just about the number of searches, its the fact that they're using advanced tools to bypass device locks and retrieve deleted files... thats some serious invasion of privacy my phone is literally not safe anymore

17% increase in phone searches is like watching a friend obsess over a meme . CBP's policy hasn't changed, but the vibe is still "we're watching your every move" . And when you think about it, 4,363 forensic searches is like finding a needle in a digital haystack . Still, with international visitors on the decline, maybe we should just assume they have something to hide . [GIF of a person hiding behind their phone]

I'm surprised those 17% more phone searches isn't a bigger deal . I mean, we're talking about people's private messages and stuff being dug through like that. It's not exactly reassuring for international travelers who might already be nervous about crossing the border. And what's up with CBP saying it's still rare to get searched? Like, 51,000 searches is a lot if you ask me . It's almost like they're trying to downplay the whole thing. Have you heard those rumors about people getting denied entry because of their phone messages? Yeah, I'm not buying it .

I'm getting some major anxiety just thinking about this . I mean, 51k basic phone searches? That's still a lot, right? But what really freaks me out is those advanced forensic searches – 4k of them? How many times can you bypass a device lock before it raises some serious red flags? And don't even get me started on the likelihood of being searched... 'extremely rare'? Are they kidding me? I've heard stories from friends who have been stopped at the border and had their phones swiped for an hour or more. It's not fun, let me tell you.

I mean, 17% increase in phone searches is still pretty low key tho? Like, millions of ppl enter US every yr & only 55k devices get searched . But, like, people are getting nervous & scared about it . Trump's immigration crackdown did change things tho, I guess. Now travelers gotta be super careful what they say or do online before entering US . Don't think it's a big deal or anything, but some ppl might wanna know what's goin on at border checkpoints

I'm telling you, this is a clear case of government overreach . I mean, 17% increase in phone searches? That's just too much. What's next, are they gonna start searching our laptops too? It feels like the US government is playing catch-up with tech-savvy nations that are already ahead of the curve.

And let's be real, who needs these advanced forensic searches anyway? Are they really helping to keep us safe or just giving the CBP more power to snoop around? I'm all for security, but there's got to be a balance here. The fact that international visitors are being deterred from coming to the US because of these searches is a clear indication that something's gotta change.

We need to get back to a time when our government prioritizes civil liberties over surveillance state tactics . I mean, what's the worst that could happen if we don't allow them to search every single phone at the border? A terrorist gets away with something? Please, that's not how it works. We need to trust our institutions and not be so quick to hand over our private lives to Big Brother.

It's time for a serious rethink of US border policies and technology usage . We can't keep living in fear of being scrutinized at every turn. It's time for some real reform, stat!

I think its weird that we're still living in a world where authorities can search our phones without a good reason. I mean, 51,000 basic searches is already a lot, but the fact that only 4,363 are advanced and more invasive is concerning. It's like, what's to stop them from digging through our personal data whenever they want?

And yeah, the numbers might seem small compared to the millions of people entering the US each year, but for international visitors, it can be a huge deal. I've talked to some friends who've had their phones searched and detained at border checkpoints, and it's just really unsettling. I think we need to rethink our policies on surveillance and search powers.

It's also interesting that Trump's immigration crackdown has led to a decrease in international visitors, but instead of addressing the root causes of migration, we're focusing on increasing scrutiny and surveillance. Maybe we should be talking about how to make travel easier and more welcoming?

OMG I'm literally shook by this news! 17% increase in phone searches is like, whoa? I get it, security matters, but it's still kinda creepy when they're searching through your personal devices without a warrant . And can we talk about how many people are getting long detentions or denied entry just because of messages on their phones?! That's some serious red flag right there. I'm all for keeping our borders safe, but it feels like they're stepping over the line sometimes . Anyone else feeling uneasy about this?

I mean, who needs personal freedoms when you can have a 17% increase in phone searches at the border ? It's not like your phone is just, like, a collection of thoughts and feelings or anything... CBP's all like "we're not invading anyone's privacy" while doing 51,061 basic searches that basically involve scrolling through phone data. Meanwhile, only 4,363 advanced searches are happening (and those are the ones with actual invasive tools). It's like, what's up with that?

Wow ... 17% increase in phone searches is kinda crazy. I mean, I get why they need to check stuff but 4,363 advanced device searches seems like a lot for one year. What's the point of getting all that data if it's just gonna be manually scrolled through? Interesting how international visitors have decreased tho. Maybe people are just more aware of what's going on now.

I'm a bit concerned about this trend. 17% more phone searches in one year? It's not like they're just scanning for suspicious activity or anything. They're actually doing full-on forensic searches, which is some serious tech. And it's all under the guise of "policy and procedures" that haven't changed... I get it, security is important, but isn't there a fine line to be drawn? Travelers are already stressing out about their phones being searched, even if it doesn't happen often. It's just more hassle. Maybe we should have an open conversation about what's reasonable and what's not when it comes to border searches

I'm a bit concerned about this increase in phone searches, it's like they're trying to dig into our personal lives before even getting to who we are . I mean, yeah, the government says it's all just procedure, but when you think about it, 17% more searches is still a lot, right? And those advanced forensic searches, that's just creepy . I'm not saying we shouldn't be safe, but it feels like they're already checking our bags and questioning us before we even get to the customs desk. What if someone's phone contains info that's not related to immigration or smuggling? Shouldn't that be private?

omg u guys, i know this is super concerning but like the us cbp is literally getting more aggressive with their phone searches at the border lol. 17% increase in just one year is wild. i mean i get it, security is important and all that, but like cant they just use some basic software to scan for threats instead of doing these invasive forensic searches? advanced device searches can basically bypass any lock or password and copy data... thats straight up creepy . ppl are getting super frustrated with the long detentions and denials based on what's in their phones...i dont blame them either. like, even if u r innocent, do u really wanna have to sit there for hours waiting for a rep to say ok ur fine? anyway, just food 4 thought, might be time to fact check some of these immigration stories

I'm getting a major chill just reading this . Like, I get that security is important, but 17% increase in phone searches? That's some serious Big Brother vibes . And yeah, I've heard from some friends who have been through this and it sounds super invasive - I mean, they can access your deleted files on their device? That's like having your personal life on display for anyone to see.

And what's up with the stats that show a "majority" of searches are basic manual scrolling? Like, when's that gonna change? It feels like we're just getting more and more comfortable with this level of surveillance before it hits us in the face. I'm all for keeping our borders safe, but at what cost to our personal freedoms, you know?