this post was submitted on 19 Mar 2025
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Privacy

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"The space researcher was allegedly randomly checked on arrival, during which his professional computer and personal telephone were allegedly searched. Similarly, messages about the Trump administration’s treatment of scientists have been found."

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[–] [email protected] 81 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (5 children)

1st Amendment protections on freedom of speech apply to everyone in the USA, regardless of citizenship. Frenchman should sue.

[–] [email protected] 27 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

That doesn’t de jure apply to non-citizens at the border, never mind de facto.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Rights don't apply to non-citizens? You sure?

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Relevant section on Wikipedia:

The government may not criminally punish immigrants based on speech that would be protected if said by a citizen.[83] On entry across borders, the government may bar non-citizens from the United States based on their speech, even if that speech would have been protected if said by a citizen.[84] Speech rules as to deportation, on the other hand, are unclear.[85] Lower courts are divided on the question, while the leading cases on the subject are from the Red Scare.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_free_speech_exceptions

Regarding the protections against illegal searches, I think all bets are off, even for US citizens.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Visitors to the US have been asked if they were members of the communist party since forever though?

IDK if those who replied "yes" would be sent back, but I do remember reading about Chinese communist party members being denied entry to the US.

I don't see much difference between this and that as far as the 1st amendment is concerned... aren't you idealizing the 1st amendment (and/or how seriously the US takes it)?

PS: let me make clear that I'm not trying to defend the indefensible behaviour of the Trump administration in any way

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

There’s no first or fourth amendment rights within 100 miles of the border of the USA. Probably other missing rights too.

[–] [email protected] -2 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

That's not true, because the Constitution applies to the whole place. Americans and non-citizens freely exercise those rights in those areas daily.

If any agent of the government tells you otherwise, you must educate them and enforce the free exercise of your own rights.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border_search_exception

Federal law allows certain federal agents to conduct search and seizures within 100 miles (160 km) of the border into the interior of the United States.[5] The Supreme Court has clearly and repeatedly confirmed that the border search exception applies within 100 miles (160 km) of the border of the United States

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago

This practice exists, but is in violation of guaranteed constitutional rights. The rights still exist and must be respected. The United States' failure to do so does not absolve the responsibility, nor does it negate the reality of the rights in question. The laws and practices enabling this situation are unconstitutional and thus illegitimate.

As for what can be done about it, the responsibility of the average person is to be LOUD about it. Make them pay attention and do not shut up until they do.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

If any agent of the government tells you otherwise, you must educate them and enforce the free exercise of your own rights.

How exactly does one enforce the free exercise of their rights?

Remember that agents of the government are often armed and generally don't like being told what to do.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

The people are armed as well.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago

Some people are, yes, but compare what happens when law enforcement agents use their arms, and what happens when regular people use their arms.

A critical part of the state is the monopoly on legitimate violence.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 week ago

The important judges are trumps pals.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I was under the understanding that when in customs TSA overrides an American Citizens constitutional rights...

Basically, you don't have a 1st ammendment right as an American Citizen.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Nope, that is not correct. The rights remain in place and may be exercised at will.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago

Thanks for the correction

[–] [email protected] 53 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Clown country thought police.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 2 weeks ago

i didn't expect to see a monty-python/star-trek response to current events; but i'll allow it. lol

[–] [email protected] 42 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."

[–] [email protected] 23 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

He committed treason last term, but got away with it thanks to servile Republicans.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

And Garland

Garland more than republicans because Garland was supposed to have a soul

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 weeks ago

You must have an outdated version. The current version is “We announce that there must be no criticism of the President, and that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong. Anything else is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”

[–] [email protected] 30 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

Time to stay away from the USA.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 weeks ago

Has been for a few decades, but now more than ever.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago

Calgon, take me away...

please!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago

This above all

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I heard from a Redditor that his tweets were luring US scientists to EU and his visit was a recruitment drive. One USAmerican already took up the offer.

I imagine US does not want to identify him because although we could verify the above in his tweets, it would be advertising the lure for US scientists to defect.

And the French guy probably does not want to identify himself because je wants to make the US government look as bad as possible.

Not random, not as bad as the headline sounds but not worthy of banning anyhow.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago

Are the checks really random? If not, what would trigger one?