Since you are a citizen, Why not also remove your simcard and store it in another container ?
This isn’t just about me now, is it? Hiding a SIM card doesn’t help. While Americans cannot be denied entry into the US, their phones can be seized. Your idea doesn’t help Americans wanting to go to Canada or Australia. Not bringing a SIM is better than concealing it in another container. Just an all around bad idea regardless of whether you’re a citizen or not.
I just found out about this crazy story.
A Norwegian tourist was detained by US immigration agents in Newark airport, and they demanded access to his cellphone. He very reluctantly agreed, and they found this meme of Vice President J.D. Vance, which they found objectionable. As a result, he was denied entry and deported.
RESPONSE FROM US CUSTOMS:
Since this story made the news, US Customs and Border Protection responded by denying that the tourist was denied entry because of this meme, but that it was instead because of his admitted drug use. The touristed admitted to having tried marijuana exactly twice in his life, once in New Mexico, once in New Jersey.
Nobody believes that was the real reason, including myself. Marijuana is legal for recreational use in both Germany and New Mexico.
Personally, I find this story insane, and terrifying.
The fact that you could be denied entry for something as trivial as a meme is extremely alarming.
HOW DOES ONE ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT DRUG USE IF THEY WANT TO PROTECT THEIR PRIVACY BUT ALSO BE SAFE?
Moreover, I am very curious at how US immigration agents ask tourists traveler about drug use.
Do they ask about specific drugs, or do they ask about general drug use?
Imagine, if they, just ask if you’ve ever done drugs.
As someone who has never done any illegal drugs, including cannabis, and has never been attracted to them, I have enjoyed educating myself about them. I still do.
All this is to say that as someone who is a little bit educated on the topic, I understand that alcohol is a drug, and so are prescribed medicine.
Hence, if a border agent asked me if I had ever done drugs, based on my factual scientific understanding, I would be inclined to say yes, to the degree that I have tried alcohol and taken medication that was prescribed to me in the past.
Even if for most people, the word “drug” connotes illegal recreational substances such as cannabis, cocaine, etc…I find that in legal situations it’s important to be accurate.
Do you think a tourist could get into trouble for saying that?
It feels like catch-22.
I’ve often been told that in situations like this, you should never give more information than is required.
Scenario 1:
That means that if I’m asked if I have ever done drugs, I should just say yes or no.
However, I am confident that if just say yes, the border agent is not thinking of alcohol or prescribed medicine, though they should consider that or ask for specifics instead of assuming I’m admitting to have used illegal drugs.
Scenario 2:
On the hand, suppose I say,
Yes, I have done drugs in the past. I had a sip of wine last Sunday during communion at church, and I was prescribed painkillers when I broke my knee skateboarding when I was 10.
The customs agent could think I am being a smart ass and deny me entry even though I’m telling the truth.
Scenario 3:
Lastly, suppose I make the assumption that the border agent refers to illegal recreational drugs, and simply reply:
No, I have never done drugs.
If they find out that I take prescribed medication for something through searching me and my luggage, or see that I bought a bottle of wine on the plane, they could use that against me because I didn’t disclose it, and those are technically drugs.
I was replying to Alex, not to you.