Olde Hornet
Well-Known Member
Do I have to give my password to border agents?
Technically, no, but what happens next depends on your immigration status.U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents cannot be denied entry into the country if they refuse to hand over or unlock their devices with their passwords, according to the American Civil Liberties Union's Know Your Rights: U.S. Airports and Ports of Entry. However, CBP might seize your phone and even keep it for weeks or months. (In this case, make sure you write down the name and badge number of the officer and ask for a receipt.)
However, non-citizen visa holders and tourists might be denied entry if they don't give their passwords.
If you decide to unlock your phone with your password, enter it yourself instead of giving it to the agent. "They still might demand that you share it, but it’s a precaution worth trying to take," according to the ACLU website.