Incident Database

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Targeted any of these journalists

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Unnecessary use of force?

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No

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Was journalist targeted?

Unknown

Yes

No

Border Stop

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Stopped previously?

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Denied entry?

Yes

No

Did authorities ask intrusive questions about journalist's work?

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Yes

No

Did authorities ask for device access?

Unknown

Yes

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Status of seized equipment

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Search warrant obtained?

Yes

No

Leak Case

Alleged recipient of leak

Charged under espionage act?

Yes

No

Prior Restraint

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Mistakenly released materials?

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No

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21 incidents recorded

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Incident

Incident Details

Category Details

BBC journalist questioned by US border agents, devices searched

Incident Details

Date of Incident: May 18, 2017
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Targets: Ali Hamedani (BBC News)

Border Point →: O'Hare International Airport
Target Nationality →: Iran

United Kingdom
US Citizenship Status of Target →: U.S. non-resident
Denied Entry? →: No
Stopped Previously? →: No
Asked for device access? →: Yes
Asked intrusive questions about work? →: Unknown

Equipment Seized →: Computer, 1

Cellphone, 1
Status of Seized Equipment →: Returned in full
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 Point →: Toronto Pearson International Airport
Target Nationality →: United States
US Citizenship Status of Target →: U.S. citizen
Denied Entry? →: No
Stopped Previously? →: Yes
Asked for device access? →: Yes
Asked intrusive questions about work? →: Yes

Equipment Seized →: Cellphone, 1

Computer, 1
Status of Seized Equipment →: Returned in full
Search Warrant Obtained →: No

Filmmaker restrained, phone seized at U.S.-Canada border crossing

Incident Details

Date of Incident: January 4, 2017
Location: Lewiston, New York
Case number: 1:17-cv-11730
Targets: Akram Shibly (Independent)
Case Status: Dismissed
Type of case: Civil

Border Point →: Lewiston-Queenston Bridge
Target Nationality →: United States
US Citizenship Status of Target →: U.S. citizen
Denied Entry? →: No
Stopped Previously? →: Yes
Asked for device access? →: Yes
Asked intrusive questions about work? →: Unknown

Assailant →: Law enforcement
Was the journalist targeted? →: Yes

Equipment Seized →: Cellphone, 1
Status of Seized Equipment →: Returned in full
Search Warrant Obtained →: No

Journalist questioned at Dulles International Airport

Incident Details

Updated On: June 28, 2021
Date of Incident: January 3, 2017
Location: Washington, District of Columbia
Case number: 1:17-cv-11730
Targets: Isma’il Kushkush (Freelance)
Case Status: Dismissed
Type of case: Civil

Border Point →: Dulles International Airport
Target Nationality →: Sudan

United States
US Citizenship Status of Target →: U.S. citizen
Denied Entry? →: No
Stopped Previously? →: Yes
Asked for device access? →: Yes
Asked intrusive questions about work? →: Yes

Equipment Seized →: Cellphone, 1
Status of Seized Equipment →: Returned in full
Search Warrant Obtained →: No

Filmmaker forced to unlock phone at U.S.-Canada border crossing

Incident Details

Date of Incident: January 1, 2017
Location: Lewiston, New York
Case number: 1:17-cv-11730
Targets: Akram Shibly (Independent)
Case Status: Dismissed
Type of case: Civil

Border Point →: Lewiston-Queenston Bridge
Target Nationality →: United States
US Citizenship Status of Target →: U.S. citizen
Denied Entry? →: No
Stopped Previously? →: No
Asked for device access? →: Yes
Asked intrusive questions about work? →: Unknown

Equipment Seized →: Cellphone, 1
Status of Seized Equipment →: Returned in full
Search Warrant Obtained →: No