U.S. Press Freedom Tracker

Incident Database

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10 incidents recorded

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Incident
Incident Details
Category Details

Freelance journalist questioned about journalism at Portland airport

Incident Details

Date of Incident
October 18, 2021
Location
Portland, Oregon
Targets
Sergio Olmos (Freelance)

Border Stop

Border Point →
Portland International Airport
Stopped at border? →
Yes
Denied Entry? →
No
Stopped Previously? →
No
Asked for device access? →
Unknown
Asked to display social media? →
Unknown
Asked for social media passwords? →
Unknown
Asked intrusive questions about work? →
Yes
Were devices searched or seized? →
Unknown

CBC National correspondent denied entry into United States

Incident Details

Date of Incident
August 25, 2019
Location
Washington, District of Columbia
Targets
Carolyn Dunn (Canadian Broadcasting Company)

Border Stop

Border Point →
Washington, D.C.
Stopped at border? →
Yes
Target Nationality →
US Citizenship Status of Target →
U.S. non-resident
Denied Entry? →
Yes
Stopped Previously? →
No
Asked for device access? →
Unknown
Asked to display social media? →
Unknown
Asked for social media passwords? →
Unknown
Asked intrusive questions about work? →
Yes
Were devices searched or seized? →
Unknown

Independent photographer stopped for secondary screening, devices seized

Incident Details

Date of Incident
June 28, 2019
Location
Detroit, Michigan
Targets
Tim Stegmaier (Independent)

Border Stop

Border Point →
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
Stopped at border? →
Yes
US Citizenship Status of Target →
U.S. citizen
Denied Entry? →
No
Stopped Previously? →
No
Asked for device access? →
Yes
Asked to display social media? →
Unknown
Asked for social media passwords? →
Unknown
Asked intrusive questions about work? →
Yes
Were devices searched or seized? →
Yes
Equipment Seized →
Status of Seized Equipment →
Returned in full
Search Warrant Obtained →
No
Actor who seized equipment →
Law enforcement

Rolling Stone journalist stopped for secondary screening, has electronics searched while asked invasive questions about reporting

Incident Details

Date of Incident
May 13, 2019
Location
Austin, Texas
Targets
Seth Harp (Rolling Stone)

Border Stop

Border Point →
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Stopped at border? →
Yes
Target Nationality →
US Citizenship Status of Target →
U.S. citizen
Denied Entry? →
No
Stopped Previously? →
Yes
Asked for device access? →
Yes
Asked to display social media? →
Unknown
Asked for social media passwords? →
Unknown
Asked intrusive questions about work? →
Yes
Were devices searched or seized? →
Yes
Search Warrant Obtained →
No

Filmmaker Saeed Taji Farouky has device taken and searched upon arrival in U.S.

Incident Details

Date of Incident
December 23, 2018
Location
Florida
Targets
Saeed Taji Farouky (Independent)

Border Stop

Border Point →
United Kingdom
Stopped at border? →
No
Target Nationality →
US Citizenship Status of Target →
U.S. non-resident
Denied Entry? →
No
Stopped Previously? →
Yes
Asked for device access? →
Yes
Asked to display social media? →
Unknown
Asked for social media passwords? →
Unknown
Asked intrusive questions about work? →
Yes
Were devices searched or seized? →
Yes
Equipment Seized →
Search Warrant Obtained →
No

Journalist stopped for secondary screening, cellphone searched

Incident Details

Updated On
June 28, 2021
Date of Incident
July 30, 2017
Location
Highgate Springs, Vermont
Case number
1:17-cv-11730
Targets
Isma’il Kushkush
Case Status
Dismissed
Type of case
Civil

Border Stop

Border Point →
Highgate Springs Port of Entry
Stopped at border? →
Yes
Target Nationality →
US Citizenship Status of Target →
U.S. citizen
Denied Entry? →
No
Stopped Previously? →
Yes
Asked for device access? →
Yes
Asked to display social media? →
Unknown
Asked for social media passwords? →
Unknown
Asked intrusive questions about work? →
Yes
Were devices searched or seized? →
Yes
Search Warrant Obtained →
No

Journalist, graduate student stopped for secondary screening, electronic devices searched

Incident Details

Updated On
June 28, 2021
Date of Incident
March 5, 2017
Location
Toronto, Canada
Case number
1:17-cv-11730
Targets
Zainab Merchant (Independent)
Case Status
Dismissed
Type of case
Civil

Border Stop

Border Point →
Toronto Pearson International Airport
Stopped at border? →
Yes
Target Nationality →
US Citizenship Status of Target →
U.S. citizen
Denied Entry? →
No
Stopped Previously? →
Yes
Asked for device access? →
Yes
Asked to display social media? →
Unknown
Asked for social media passwords? →
Unknown
Asked intrusive questions about work? →
Yes
Were devices searched or seized? →
Yes
Search Warrant Obtained →
No

CNN producer detained in Atlanta airport

Incident Details

Updated On
August 11, 2017
Date of Incident
January 29, 2017
Location
Atlanta, Georgia
Case number
1:17-cv-00353
Targets
Mohammed Tawfeeq (CNN)
Case Status
Dismissed
Type of case
Civil

Border Stop

Border Point →
Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport
Stopped at border? →
Yes
Target Nationality →
US Citizenship Status of Target →
U.S. permanent resident (green card)
Denied Entry? →
No
Stopped Previously? →
No
Asked for device access? →
Unknown
Asked to display social media? →
Unknown
Asked for social media passwords? →
Unknown
Asked intrusive questions about work? →
Yes
Were devices searched or seized? →
Unknown
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