The Border as a Constitutional Rubicon The indictment of Samuel Tunick, an American accused of using a "duress" password on his phone during a border search, has sparked debate about the limits of government authority at the nation's borders.
This case is significant because it appears to be the first time federal prosecutors have charged someone with destroying data in this manner and highlights the ongoing tension between individual constitutional rights and the government's expansive claims of authority at the border.
Tunick was detained for a secondary inspection without being informed of his legal rights or allowed access to an attorney when he returned from overseas to Atlanta's Hartsfield Jackson airport.