DHS does not deny strong-arming tourist into letting them into his phone, only that agents sent him home because of a meme
The story circulating online — first in Norwegian newspaper Nordlys and then picked up by British tabloids — claims that during Mikkelsen’s encounter with the Department of Homeland Security, agents took his phone and found a meme depicting Vance as a bloated, smooth, bald man staring off into the distance.
Mikkelsen claims that the officials threatened to fine him $5,000 or send him to prison for five years if he refused to provide them with his phone password. The tourist ultimately agreed to hand over his information, allowing agents to look through his phone.
The reports picked up enough steam in headlines and on social media to justify CBP putting out a statement denying parts of the story.
You clearly must be joking
Any “regime” like you describe, which btw, the US is not even remotely close to being unsafe for travelers as you imply, will take anything you carry on yourself without any due process
I’m not saying they “threaten” you with it
I’m not saying they “can” but won’t do that to you
I’m saying they just do it.
Try traveling to Palestine, Yemen, Venezuela, China, Iraq, Afghanistan or North Korea.
You will get the idea of what a “Regime” actually is
With any luck we will hear about you on the news haha