Anyone who routine travels outside of the USA knows the situation faced upon returning. Here’s something I bet very few know:
The 4th Amendment prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures, but it doesn't apply at the U.S. border, says Georgetown law professor M. Tia Johnson, a former assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security.
Got that? You can’t refuse to let one of the screeners go through your things – including your electronic devices.
And, if you do refuse:
There is no limit on how long CBP officials can hold a U.S. citizen, but they usually don't hold people for more than several hours or overnight because courts may look upon the detention as unreasonable, per Cope.
I know this is going to seem stupid but the bottom line is – don’t try to bring anything back with you that you shouldn’t.
More @ A returning U.S. citizen's or green-card holder's rights at the border: What you need to know
