Originally Posted by
Deeg
It appears that it does exist without limitation. 41 CFR 102-74.385 reads in its entirety:
Thanks for confirming something:
Originally Posted by
GUWonder
That wouldn't shock me, but that is an invitation for all sorts of government abuse of the people and would seem to excuse all sorts of nonsense and invite inconsistency (beyond that which is already the situation when it comes to DHS). For example, by such a "standard", if DHS clowns put up a sign telling passengers to drop trouser and get raped without complaint in the "federally controlled area", that's a sign that would then "require compliance" by US persons?
Originally Posted by
MissRoseDarrensAngel
I think its partly to keep the lines going as I've been behind too many people in other places who are not paying attention because they have to be on their phone (unless is a dire emergency).
The stuff about smuggling and stuff, I can see why the phones need to be off. I have no issue with leaving my phone off until I've cleared customs/immigration. I remember at DTW when I was returning from London, and a customs office was constantly saying to people not to be on their mobile phones. I understand people want to tell their loved ones they've landed etc. but those calls can wait the few minutes til you've cleared customs.
It has nothing to to with keeping the lines going.
Preventing people from doing something normal out of paranoia that a very small minority of people might use the same means to aid or abet or engage in criminal activity is a ridiculous reason upon which to justify CBP's mission creep to subjugate people who may wish to use phones on arrival to the US for all sorts of ordinary reasons that are perfectly lawful.
Personally, as soon as I land on the ground in the US, I send a barrage of communications to those whom I consider ought to be contacted ASAP -- and that may include emails, text messages and/or phone calls.