The information provided here is basic, general information about the requirements for entering the U.S. as a “nonimmigrant” and the Constitutional rights of people in the United States.

For specific information and legal advice, consult a qualified immigration attorney. The American Immigration Lawyers Association provides a lawyer referral service for people seeking counsel of an immigration lawyer: www.ailalawyer.org  

 

• U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) web site “Know before You Visit” information

  Explains some of the requirements for entering the U.S. and addresses the necessary documents, as well as traveling with food, pets, or medication.

 

• CBP “Inspection of Devices Flyer”

  This flyer may be given to those entering the U.S. whose baggage or electronic devices are searched by a CBP officer. It includes a brief description of CBP’s legal authority to conduct searches and what travelers may expect in such a search and provides contact information for those who may have questions or encounter problems.

 

• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) “Know Your Rights: What to do When Encountering Law Enforcement at Airports and Other Ports of Entry into the U.S.” flyer

  Provides extensive information about law enforcement officials’ authority to question individuals entering the U.S., the right (and lack of right) to legal counsel, and searches of laptops and phones, among other topics.

 

• ACLU “Know your Rights: Stopped by Police Immigration Agents, or FBI” flyer
  Describes the civil rights of people in the U.S. who encounter immigration enforcement officers and suggests appropriate responses:

  • English
  • Arabic
  • Indonesian
  • Urdu

 

• ACLU resources “Know Your Rights: Discrimination Against Immigrants and Muslims”
  Includes videos and printed flyers on this topic in a variety of languages.

 

• ACLU “Know Your Rights: What to do if Your Rights are Violated at a Demonstration”
  Describes the civil rights of people in the U.S. to peacefully assemble and protest and suggests appropriate responses for those who encounter law enforcement officials while protesting.

 

• U. S. Department of State web site visa information

  Explains visas and offers a “Do you need a visa” link (click “business” for information about the Visitor visa, the visa that most people will need to enter the U.S. for a conference)

 

• Federal Judge Makes History in Holding That Border Searches of Cell Phones Require a Warrant

   A district court judge in New York made history by being the first court to rule that a warrant is required for a cell phone search at the border, “absent exigent circumstances”