[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 149 (Thursday, September 18, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H8401]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SUPPORT THE BORDER SECURITY SEARCH ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2008

  (Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I come to the floor 
today to urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6869, the Border Security 
Search Accountability Act of 2008, which I introduced into the House 
last week. This bill establishes strict guidelines for Customs and 
Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement's electronic 
device seizure policy.
  It is important to ensure that Customs and Border agents have the 
tools necessary to go after potential terrorists. This bill allows for 
the appropriate search, review, retention and sharing of information on 
an individual's electronic device, as necessary for security purposes.
  H.R. 6869 also ensures that when an individual's property is seized 
at a point of entry, there is a well-defined procedure in place that 
will protect their privacy and electronic data, especially the doctor-
patient and attorney-client privileges. This legislation also requires 
the Department of Homeland Security to post information about 
individual rights related to border searches in visible areas near the 
search points so that individuals will understand their rights.

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