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> The easiest thing to do is to simply not take electronic devices with you anywhere in the world, otherwise there is a slight risk of someone wanting to understand the information contained within it.

I think people seriously misunderstand the range that the Border Patrol has--its far more than the US and Canadian borders. Portland Oregon, for example, is within their grasps due to the coast + 100 miles being considered part of the border.

So, you could be never leave the country and be caught up in their web quite easily. I wouldn't be surprised if 70% of the population of the US lived within their range.



Genuinely curious - what would be an example of how border patrol might exert influence over someone not crossing international boundaries? For example, if I live in an apartment in Portland, under what circumstances might USBP decide to search my computers/phone/etc.?


I've always wondered - why is this border considered to be at the coast, rather than at the start of international waters?


That's easy to answer: the beginning of international waters is defined as a certain distance from the border.

Which is the coastline, for the most part; international law considers countries to control land, and lakes, bays (some) and harbors, but not the seas and oceans.




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