Quick Read
- CBP has expanded the list of searchable electronic devices to include smartwatches and wearables ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
- Refusing a device search at the U.S. border can lead to immediate denial of entry, according to recent legal and government guidance.
- Enforcement data indicates a shift toward more rigorous, national-level scrutiny at all ports of entry as the agency prepares for high-volume international travel.
WASHINGTON (Azat TV) – With the 2026 World Cup approaching, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is accelerating a dual strategy of physical infrastructure expansion and intensified digital surveillance at ports of entry. As the agency prepares for a massive influx of international visitors, travelers are encountering a more rigorous enforcement environment, marked by an expanded scope of electronic device searches and new border wall construction contracts.
Expanding Scope of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Digital Searches
Travelers, particularly those crossing the northern border, are being advised that the threshold for electronic device inspections has broadened. CBP policy now explicitly includes smartwatches and other wearable technology in the list of devices subject to search. While the agency maintains that less than 0.01% of international travelers face such inspections, the frequency of these searches has seen a significant long-term increase. Immigration experts note that travelers who decline to provide access to their devices or passwords often face immediate denial of entry, a reality that has prompted official warnings from the Canadian government to its citizens.
Infrastructure and Enforcement for the 2026 World Cup
The agency’s focus is shifting toward managing the logistics of the upcoming 2026 World Cup, necessitating both modernized physical barriers and heightened security protocols. Recent seizures, such as the March 10 interception of over 20 pounds of fentanyl at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, underscore the high stakes governing current border operations. As CBP integrates more advanced technology to identify illicit contraband, the agency is simultaneously scaling its capacity to process record volumes of tourists, balancing the need for efficient travel flow with strict security mandates.
Legal Risks and Compliance for Cross-Border Travelers
The current enforcement environment has created a complex landscape for visitors. Beyond the physical and digital checks, researchers from the Deportation Data Project and UCLA have highlighted a national shift in immigration enforcement, noting a substantial rise in street-level arrests and deportations during the current administration. For the average traveler, the primary risk remains the exercise of officer discretion. Legal counsel warns that assumptions of privacy at the border do not hold, and that even minor discrepancies in documentation or cooperation can lead to significant travel disruptions.
The intensification of border scrutiny, while framed by authorities as a necessary measure for national security and the protection of major events like the 2026 World Cup, signals a permanent departure from pre-pandemic travel norms, where digital privacy and border transit were treated with a higher degree of mutual expectation.