Originally Posted by
SATTSO
PT said the ONLY requirement is to provide proof of citizenship for a US citizen to enter the US. But then states that as an administrative search their property (I assume property) is subject to search. So, as I read it - and keep in mind I am NOT a lawyer - there are 2 possible requirements: proof of citizenship, and search of property if selected. So where does the "ONLY" come in? Or what am I missing here?
Administrative searches by customs are not mandatory -- I've entered the U.S. from international trips many, many times and was never subject to a personal search and only twice subject to a search of my property. Upon presenting valid proof of citizenship, i.e. my passport, I must be admitted, i.e. I cannot be denied entry to the United States. That, by the way, is statutory (or, at least, a CFR -- it's been a while since I looked this up).
Regardless, not only is there no legal basis for a security search as a condition of admission, such a search is presumptively unconstitutional and expressly contradicted by the statute (or CFR), which defines the legal requirement for admission.