Muslim American says US border agents seized her iPhone without explanation
A Muslim woman sued US Customs and Border Protection on Thursday, alleging agents confiscated and held her iPhone for more than four months without explanation after she returned to the US from Europe.
Rejhane Lazoja, a US citizen, alleges she was taken to a small room at Newark Liberty Airport after returning from Zurich, Switzerland, with her 6-year-old daughter on Feb. 26. One of two CBP agents then asked her to unlock her iPhone 6S Plus, which she refused to do because she was given no reason, the suit says.
The lawsuit says the CBP agents didn't present a warrant for the phone. Lazoja's iPhone and a SIM card were then confiscated and held for more than 120 days. After the phone was returned, Lazoja asked the CBP why it had been confiscated and whether the agency had made copies of the data on the phone. The CBP didn't respond to her inquiry, according to the lawsuit.
