Palestinian American journalist questioned, phone searched at NJ airport
- Date of incident
- Location
- Newark, New Jersey
- Targets
- Hebh Jamal (Freelance)
Border Stop
Data Tracked For This Category
Journalists stopped at the border and subjected to secondary screening, which can include prolonged or invasive questioning about their journalistic work, electronic device searches or demands for device passwords. We count border stops even if we are unable to draw a direct connection between the stop and the journalist’s work activities, because the resistance of U.S. authorities to provide information makes it extremely difficult to identify the motive and because invasive questioning or device searches could jeopardize source confidentiality no matter the motive. Not every stop at the border is a press freedom violation, but we believe it is essential to capture patterns related to these stops. This category also includes cases where journalists are prevented from entering the country if it appears that their inability to enter the country is related to their work.
Recent Incidents
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![Documentarian Michael Rowley was questioned for the second time by U.S. border authorities when flying into New York, New York, on March 24, 2023. A plainclothes officer told him he was “in [their] system” because of someone he filmed with in the West Ban](https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/MichaelRowley_Headshot.2e16d0ba.fill-665x440.jpg)
Documentarian returning from film festival questioned for second time
- Date of incident
- Location
- New York, New York
- Targets
- Michael Rowley (Independent)
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Freelance journalist questioned about journalism at Portland airport
- Date of incident
- Location
- Portland, Oregon
- Targets
- Sergio Olmos (Freelance)
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Intercept reporter told “You are not a journalist” when stopped by border officials
- Date of incident
- Location
- Nogales, Arizona
- Targets
- Ryan Devereaux (The Intercept)
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Photojournalist stopped, strip searched while crossing back into U.S.
- Date of incident
- Location
- Nogales, Arizona
- Targets
- Ash Ponders (Independent)
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Documentarian questioned about film when returning from West Bank
- Date of incident
- Location
- Dallas, Texas
- Targets
- Michael Rowley (Independent)
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CBP officer withholds journalist’s passport until he agrees to say he writes ‘propaganda’
- Date of incident
- Location
- Dulles, Virginia
- Targets
- Ben Watson (Defense One)
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BBC journalist questioned by border official, passport reviewed
- Date of incident
- Location
- Brownsville, Texas
- Targets
- Stephanie Hegarty (BBC News [United Kingdom])
