U.S. Border Officials May Search Travelers’ Electronic Devices

Effective 07/16/2008 the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency released a new policy regarding "search of information" for all people entering the U.S. Federal agents are allowed to take any electronic device capable of storing data and written documents for indefinite periods of time to "review and analyze the information." They can conduct a search of information without reasonable suspicion of a violation of U.S. law.

While we do not expect that authorities will try to seize all the laptops, cell phones, mp3 players and documentation carried with the thousands of visitors to the U.S each day, we strongly recommend that you consider carrying as little electronic equipment and paper as possible.

http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/travel/admissability/search_authority.ctt/search_authority.pdf