Incident Database

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Targeted any of these journalists

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Unnecessary use of force?

Yes
No

Arresting authority

Assault

Assailant

Was journalist targeted?

Unknown
Yes
No

Border Stop

Border point

Stopped previously?

Yes
No

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Denied entry?

Yes
No

Did authorities ask intrusive questions about journalist's work?

Unknown
Yes
No

Did authorities ask for device access?

Unknown
Yes
No

Were devices searched or seized?

Unknown
Yes
No

Did authorities ask for social media username?

Unknown
Yes
No

Did authorities ask for social media password?

Unknown
Yes
No

Denial of Access

Government agency or public official involved

Equipment Damage

Equipment Broken

Equipment Search or Seizure

Actor

Status of seized equipment

Equipment Seized

Search warrant obtained?

Yes
No

Leak Case

Targets whose communications were obtained in leak investigation

Charged under espionage act?

Yes
No

Prior Restraint

Status of prior restraint

Subpoena/Legal Order

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18 incidents recorded

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Incident

Incident Details

Category Details

Journalist questioned at San Ysidro border crossing for third time

Incident Details

Date of Incident: August 22, 2018
Location: San Diego, California
Targets: Brooke Binkowski

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

Freelance multimedia reporter stopped at San Ysidro border crossing, questioned about reporting

Incident Details

Date of Incident: July 2018
Location: San Diego, California
Targets: Brooke Binkowski

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

Journalist stopped at the border multiple times, told passport is flagged

Incident Details

Date of Incident: July 2018
Location: San Diego, California
Targets: Brooke Binkowski (Freelance)

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

Photojournalist stopped for secondary screening at CBP preclearance in Canada

Incident Details

Date of Incident: December 28, 2017
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Targets: John Rudoff

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

Photojournalist stopped second time by CBP in less than a year

Incident Details

Date of Incident: October 25, 2017
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Targets: David Degner

Border Point →: Boston Logan International Airport
Stopped at border? →: No
Target Nationality →: United States
US Citizenship Status of Target →: U.S. citizen
Denied Entry? →: No
Stopped Previously? →: Yes
Asked for device access? →: No
Asked intrusive questions about work? →: Unknown
Were devices searched or seized? →: No

Journalist, graduate student stopped again for secondary screening

Incident Details

Updated On: June 28, 2021
Date of Incident: September 16, 2017
Location: Orlando, Florida
Targets: Zainab Merchant

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

Al Jazeera journalist stopped and questioned in Los Angeles airport

Incident Details

Date of Incident: May 27, 2017
Location: Los Angeles, California
Targets: Ali Latifi (Al Jazeera)

Border Point →: Los Angeles International Airport
Stopped at border? →: Yes
Target Nationality →: Afghanistan

United States
US Citizenship Status of Target →: U.S. citizen
Denied Entry? →: No
Stopped Previously? →: Yes
Asked for device access? →: Yes
Asked to display social media? →: No
Asked for social media passwords? →: No
Asked intrusive questions about work? →: Yes
Were devices searched or seized? →: Yes

Equipment Seized →: Cellphone, 1
Status of Seized Equipment →: Returned in full
Search Warrant Obtained →: No
Actor who seized equipment →: Law enforcement

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