Bill To Add Accountability To Border Laptop Search

I Don't Believe in Imaginary Property writes "Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) has introduced a bill that would add accountability to the DHS searches conducted upon the laptops of those crossing the border. Specifically, it would require the issue of receipts to those who had their property confiscated so that it could later be returned, would limit how long the DHS can keep laptops, would require them to keep the laptop's information secure, and would create a way to complain about abuse. Finally, the DHS would be required to keep track of how many searches were done and report the details to Congress. Rep. Sanchez also has also issued a statement about the proposed bill."

Comments

Re:US Citizens only

[morgan_greywolf]

It doesn't *have* to be. But it generally is when you put a bunch of people who will do anything for cash in their war chest in charge of running it.

There. Fixed it for you.

Yes you are

[QZTR]

"To conclude: I got the message loud and clear and here's hoping you're having a nice, slightly fascistic police state that makes all of you feel right at home.

Just to be clear: I'm not pissing on Americans here."

Yes you are.

And I edited "USians" because it's stupid.

Re:no

[d3ac0n]

Mod OP up as Insightful.

Frankly, there are 3 issues with the Border (and airport) Security as now implemented:

1) There is a VERY fine line regarding border and airport searches that requires excellent training and care to avoid violating a US Citizen's Constitutionally guaranteed rights. (Sorry non-US citizens, the Constitution and it's amendments only apply to US Citizens, no matter how much some people may want them to apply to the world.)

2) The Border guards AND airport security people are under trained, under staffed, and with a low standard for hiring.

3) They are Unionized. (Oh, the employees suck? Too bad, they are Unionized. We can't fire them!)

These three issues combined result in the fiasco we have now.

Had I my way, Unionization of ANY government employees would be strictly outlawed. At the very least, we could start flushing out the lazy bums, raise the hiring standard and get some quality people in there. That would go a long way towards fixing crappy border crossing experiences.