CBP Agents Detain 20 Activists at Miami Airport and Seize 18 Phones Without Warrants

Customs and Border Protection Briefly Held Protesters and Confiscated Devices at International Terminal\n\nCustoms and Border Protection agents at Miami International Airport briefly detained 20 activists and seized phones from 18 of them without warrants, raising serious civil liberties concerns.\n\n### The Incident\n\n- 20 activists detained at Miami International Airport\n- 18 had their phones confiscated\n- Devices seized without warrants\n- Detention was brief but device seizures may be prolonged\n\n### Context\n\nThe incident occurred amid heightened immigration enforcement actions under the current administration. Activists had reportedly gathered to protest or document CBP activities.\n\n### Legal Questions\n\nWarrantless phone seizures at the border fall into a legal gray area. While CBP has broader search authority at international borders, civil liberties groups argue that seizing devices from activists raises First Amendment concerns.\n\n### Pattern\n\nThis is part of a broader trend of increased device searches and detentions at US borders, with digital rights groups documenting significant increases in electronic device searches over recent years.\n\nSource: The Verge, Gaby Del Valle