I’m no fan of the current administration but this is one person’s account so inherently 1 sided. I just flew in from Europe and most people were not searched. US border control don’t have time to systemically search the phones of all travelers. I’m guessing some other red flag triggered the questioning and phone search and denial (eg no return ticket or accommodation booked).
Because people of all political persuasions tell lies for attention and to support their political agenda. It is sensible to withhold judgment until there is sufficient information to make a reasonable determination on the balance of probabilities. That may mean witholding your righteous indignation for a day or two, but that's a price worth paying.
Indeed, a clear indication that the meme was the reason, or at least part of the reason, to deny admission would have a very serious weight, and hopefully grounds for the reversal of the decision, and a disciplinary action.
You are talking about the US administration here, which is currently making up rules as it pleases based on the whims of a geriatric maniac, and where masked kidnappers are abducting people off the streets without repercussion. None of what you said is likely to happen.
I agree that the top of the administration is plenty rotten, but I still believe that rank-and-file people in governmental agencies did not lose their dignity, at least those who had it.
at the very end of the article there's a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that contains "..and it is the traveller's responsibility to have valid documents and be familiar with the current entry regulations." which makes me believe there's more to the story.
Yeah, expecting a governmental agency to produce evidence that will negatively impact their political standing is a very reasonable request indeed. Or expecting evidence from a person who was stripped of all their devices. How silly these people are for working with what they have. They even lie about how much and what quality of information is it that they possess... oh wait, no they don't, you're just being a jackass. Well ain't that unfortunate.
> it is the traveller's responsibility to have valid documents and be familiar with the current entry regulations
This response from the Norwegian foreign office makes it seem like the man lacked proper documentation, which led to the search. However, it’s unclear to me whether the comment is specific to this case or just a general statement.
Wrong. DHS tells the Airlines your ESTA Status, so they won't let you board if you don't have a valid one. And if you don't have one, the Airlines will check for a Visa
"DHS communicates a traveler’s ESTA status to the carriers. However, DHS recommends that travelers print out the ESTA application response as a record of their ESTA application number to confirm their ESTA status."
They also have DHS Agents on the departure Airports, which already tell the Airlines which Passengers aren't allowed to board. If the Airlines violate against this, they face severe consequences like a ban from US Airspace
