Travel Alert: Phones Checked at Dublin Airport Sparks Concerns

Irish people heading to the US are being told that their phones can be searched at the airport. This alert follows President Donald Trump's recent executive order to 'enhance vetting,' which has reportedly led to more passengers being asked to hand over their devices at US borders.

New US Policy on Social Media Review
As of April 2025, US immigration authorities have confirmed the implementation of a new policy to review social media accounts and deny visas or residence permits to people who post content considered antisemitic by President Trump's administration.

Advice to Travelers
Advice on social media forums now includes deleting apps entirely or, in some cases, traveling without devices altogether. Brian Honan, CEO of BH Consulting, explained that border agents are legally entitled to check your phone in the same way they can inspect your luggage.

Expert Opinions
While such searches are legally allowed, they are not routine. Ronan Murphy, chair of cybersecurity firm SmartTech247, mentioned that it's unlikely phones are being checked indiscriminately, attributing this to the level of sophistication required and the time needed for the search.

Recent Incidents
Reports suggest that travellers at Dublin Airport have faced aggressive questioning regarding their phones in recent weeks. However, the US Department of Homeland Security denied targeting phones for political reasons, emphasizing that such searches are rare, highly regulated, and utilized in combating serious crimes. They emphasize the thorough policy and directives that Customs and Border Protection follows when it comes to searching electronic media.