美國邊境電子設備檢查及其對非美國旅客的影響

Electronic Device Search at Border of the United States and Implications for Non-U.S. Travelers

本研究對美國海關和邊境保護局（CBP）在邊境進行的電子設備內容搜查活動的合法性進行了詳盡研究。透過對相關立法、法院判決及行政機構的內部規範文件進行分析，本研究指出了三個主要問題：首先，CBP的內部操作規程在某些定義上存在模糊之處，這可能導致邊檢人員在規程允許的範圍內濫用職權，侵犯出入境遊客的隱私權；其次，由於美國最高法院尚未對邊境電子設備檢查提出明確的指導標準，導致下級法院的裁決存在不一致性；最後，美國國會也未針對邊境電子設備檢查的詳細標準制定相關立法，以解決這一不確定性。這三大因素使得遊客，特別是非美籍遊客在出入境時的隱私權面臨巨大風險。雖然本研究未提出新的解決方案，但提供了五條實用的建議，幫助非美籍遊客在出入境時有效保護自己的隱私權。

This paper delves into the intricate realm of border searches of electronic devices, contextualized within the operations of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) and the protections afforded by the Fourth Amendment. Despite the absence of explicit guidance from the Supreme Court and the ambiguity surrounding terms utilized in CBP directives and lower court rulings, there remains a pressing need to mitigate potential abuses of power by border agents in conducting such searches. Furthermore, the lack of legislative action from Congress exacerbates the vulnerability of privacy interests, particularly for non-U.S. travelers. Rather than proposing new solutions, this paper offers practical tips for non-U.S. travelers to effectively navigate U.S. law and safeguard their privacy at the border.