In an era of increased attention to border security and continued technological advances, questions have been raised regarding searches and seizures of electronic devices at U.S. borders, implicating the First and Fourth Amendments. Many of these questions remain unanswered or have been made more complicated by conflicting court rulings, legislation and policies. Meanwhile, journalists continue to be targeted by warrantless searches and seizures. This article seeks to chart the legal landscape by (1) providing key background information, (2) discussing the First Amendment angle of warrantless searches of journalists’ devices, and (3) detailing the split among federal circuit and district courts regarding the Fourth Amendment question of whether border agents need reasonable suspicion to conduct forensic searches of electronic devices. The article argues that because federal courts, executive agencies, and Congress, have failed to adequately address journalists’ and other travelers’ rights at U.S. borders, the Supreme Court of the United States and Congress must provide at least some guidance regarding important Constitutional rights. Ideally, the Court or Congress should also ensure protection for journalists and press freedom at U.S. borders.

中文翻译：

---

跨越宪法边界：在美国边境搜索和扣押电子设备

在一个越来越重视边境安全和技术不断进步的时代，人们对​​在美国边境搜索和扣押电子设备提出了疑问，这牵涉到第一修正案和第四修正案。这些问题中有许多问题仍悬而未决，或者由于法院的裁决，立法和政策相互矛盾而变得更加复杂。同时，记者继续遭到毫无根据的搜查和扣押。本文旨在通过（1）提供关键的背景信息，（2）讨论对记者的设备进行无根据搜查的第一修正案角度，以及（3）详细说明联邦巡回法院和地方法院在第四修正案方面的分歧，来绘制法律前景图边防人员是否需要合理怀疑进行电子设备的取证搜索的问题。文章认为，由于联邦法院，行政机构和国会未能充分解决美国边境的记者和其他旅客的权利，因此美国最高法院和国会必须就重要的宪法权利至少提供一些指导。理想情况下，法院或国会还应确保在美国边界保护记者和新闻自由。