Category: ESTA News

Electronic device searches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have significantly increased at international airports, ports, and border crossings, according to a new report. The number of searches on mobile phones, laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices is expected to rise by 42.3%, from 33,062 in 2018 to 47,047 in 2024. These searches are part of CBP’s efforts to identify potential threats and protect U.S. borders from various illegal activities.

CBP officials explain that the ability to inspect electronic devices crossing U.S. borders is crucial to ensuring national security in today’s increasingly digital world. “As responsible for protecting our borders and enforcing numerous laws at ports of entry, the ability of CBP to lawfully inspect electronic devices is essential to keeping our nation safe,” a CBP notice stated earlier this year. All travellers crossing the U.S. border, regardless of citizenship, are subject to customs inspections, including searches of their electronic devices such as cell phones, computers, and cameras.

These device searches are primarily used to combat terrorism, child pornography, drug smuggling, human trafficking, export control violations, intellectual property theft, visa fraud, and other criminal activities. Additionally, they help determine an individual’s intent to enter the U.S. Although only 0.01% of travellers have been subject to electronic device searches in fiscal year 2024, there have been instances where individuals have faced arrest or denial of entry after seemingly unrelated files, such as text messages or computer data, were found during a search.

In one notable case from 2017, a man traveling from Korea was arrested for possessing child pornography on an external hard drive, leading to a prison sentence. In another case, a foreign student was deported after CBP used a Korean interpreter to review messages on the messaging app KakaoTalk, which revealed the student had been working illegally at a restaurant.

CBP conducts two types of searches: basic and detailed. Basic searches involve manually reviewing the contents of a device without any additional tools, while detailed searches use external equipment to access stored data. In 2024, out of 420,521,616 travellers entering the U.S., 12,667,84 people underwent secondary searches, and 42,725 basic searches and 4,322 detailed searches of electronic devices were performed. Of these searches, 36,506 were on non-citizens, while 10,541 were on U.S. citizens.

Current entry guidelines state that travellers whose electronic devices are selected for investigation may be required to decrypt their devices to provide information. While citizens can refuse to answer questions beyond identity and travel details, this can result in delays. However, visa holders who refuse to answer such questions risk being denied entry. A significant concern remains the potential leakage of sensitive personal information during the process of sharing passwords to access devices, raising privacy risks for travellers.

As three cases of measles were confirmed in Bergen County, New Jersey, which is home to a densely populated Korean community, New York City has also reported two cases of measles, heightening concerns among health authorities. The New York City Department of Health announced on March 4th that, as of the end of February, there were two confirmed cases of measles in the city, one of which occurred earlier this year. The health department did not disclose specific details about the patients, such as their age, location, or vaccination status.

In 2023, New York City reported 14 confirmed cases of measles, representing nearly all the 15 cases reported across the entire state. In comparison, there was only one confirmed case of measles in the city during 2023. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that, as of February 27th, there had been 164 confirmed cases of measles across the United States. Notably, 20% of these cases resulted in hospitalization. Among these, 145 cases were in Texas, where an unvaccinated child tragically died from the disease. This marks the first measles-related death in the U.S. since 2015.

Measles was declared eradicated in the United States in 2000, but cases have been on the rise in recent years. Symptoms typically appear 10 to 14 days after infection with the measles virus. Initially, individuals may experience cold-like symptoms, including a cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis. This is followed by a high fever (101°F or higher) and a rash that begins on the face and spreads throughout the body. In severe cases, measles can lead to complications, including death.

The issue of unfair congestion charges in Manhattan has drawn significant criticism. On March 4th, NBC News reported several cases where individuals were unfairly charged tolls since the congestion charge was implemented in January. One such case involved a man living in Manhattan who was incorrectly charged tolls for four days, even though he never left the area south of 60th Street, where the congestion charge is applied. Jesse King, the individual who raised the issue, explained, “I only rode my scooter around the garage on West 30th Street and never left or re-entered 60th Street in Manhattan, which is the boundary where the congestion charge is imposed, but I was charged a total of $18 in tolls over the four days.”

According to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), if a vehicle only operates within the central business district south of 60th Street in Manhattan, it should not be subject to the congestion charge. Drivers who reside in the congested area will only be charged tolls if they leave and re-enter 60th Street. After NBC News brought the issue to the MTA’s attention, it was confirmed that the man’s scooter had not left the designated area, and the toll charges were refunded. However, the MTA referred to this as a “simple error” and did not provide further explanation or address whether other individuals might have been similarly affected.

Critics of the congestion charge have argued that this case highlights the need for more transparency in the tolling system. Concerns have arisen that there could be more instances of unfair charges, prompting calls for the MTA to improve the transparency of the system. Additionally, social media posts have revealed other instances of errors where toll charges were incorrectly applied. One person shared, “I have never been to Lower Manhattan, but I was charged the congestion tax several times. When I checked, the reader error was incorrectly recognizing the license plate information, so I was charged the fee that was supposed to be charged to someone else.”

Other cases involve drivers who were unaware of the specific congestion tax methods, resulting in them paying higher fees. For example, some drivers who had an EZ-Pass but did not understand the charging system were sent toll charges by mail instead of being automatically deducted from their account. A Korean resident of New Jersey shared his experience, saying, “I went to Manhattan with my wife’s car over the weekend, but the car didn’t have an EZ-Pass terminal, so I took the one in my car. I thought the toll would be paid with my EZ-Pass, but I later received a notice in the mail.” This resulted in a more expensive toll bill, as tolls charged by mail can be 50% more expensive than those paid using an EZ-Pass.

The congestion charge is $9 for passenger cars, $14.40 for light trucks, and $21.60 for large trucks during daytime hours with an EZ-Pass. However, if the toll is paid by mail due to a lack of an EZ-Pass, the cost increases by 50%. For instance, a passenger car that would have paid $9 during the day could end up paying $13.50.

Last month, the Donald Trump administration withdrew the federal government’s environmental impact assessment approval for the Manhattan congestion charge and ordered the MTA to end its implementation by March 21st. However, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and the MTA have refused to comply with the decision and have filed a lawsuit. They plan to continue collecting the congestion charges until a court order is issued.

New York State is continuing its commitment to supporting low-income families by offering free groceries to children this summer. On the 24th, the state announced the continuation of the federal government’s “Summer EBT” program, which provides groceries to children from low-income families during the summer months when school meals are not available.

Through this program, over 2.1 million children across the state will receive a “Summer EBT card” that will be loaded with $40 per child per month, totalling $120 for the summer. The cards will be automatically cancelled after 122 days of issuance.

The groceries that can be purchased using the summer EBT card include fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, bread, and snacks. However, the card cannot be used for hot food, pet food, or alcoholic beverages.

Applications for the program are open until September 3rd and can be made through the New York State ‘Summer EBT’ application website: https://summerebt.ny.gov/en-US/.

New York State has divided beneficiaries into two categories: automatic beneficiaries and those who need to apply. It is estimated that about 1.5 million children from low-income families, who qualify for SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, or free school meals, will be automatic beneficiaries. Residents whose income level is 185% or less of the federal poverty line (less than $57,720 per year for a family of four) need to apply for benefits.

The state has expressed concern over the low number of applications from beneficiaries who are required to apply. Last year, only 17,158 applications were submitted. New York State is urging eligible residents to apply actively, with an estimated 2.1 million children and families qualifying for the program, including both automatic and application-based beneficiaries.

The 2025 New York City primary election is officially underway. The New York City Board of Elections announced on the 25th that the petition period for candidates in the upcoming primary has begun. Candidates must gather signatures to qualify for the election, with the petition period running from February 25 to April 3. The primary election day is set for June 24, 2025.

To be officially qualified as a candidate by the Board of Elections, preliminary candidates for New York City Mayor, Public Advocate, and Comptroller must secure at least 3,750 valid petition signatures. Candidates for borough president must collect at least 2,000 valid signatures, while those seeking a City Council seat need at least 450 signatures.

The Election Commission will review the submitted petitions and announce the official candidates for the 2025 New York City Primary Election in early May.

This year’s primary election is particularly focused on the mayoral race. The Democratic primary has already heated up, with current Mayor Eric Adams (Democrat) facing a criminal indictment on corruption charges. Despite pressure from within his own party to resign, Mayor Adams has declared his intention to run for re-election. On the 24th, he reaffirmed his decision, saying, “I will definitely run. I will conduct the petition on the streets and hope for many signatures from citizens.”

As of the 25th, several prominent Democratic politicians have declared their candidacies for the mayoral primary, including New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, State Senator Jessica Ramos, State Senator Zellner Myri, State Assembly Member Zoran Mamdani, and former New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer. There are also strong rumours that nine other politicians, including former Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York City Council Speaker Adrianne Adams, may enter the race.

On the Republican side, Curtis Sliwa, who ran in the 2021 mayoral race, has announced his intention to run again in 2025.

A new area code, 465, will be added to New York City’s telephone system. The New York State Public Service Commission (NYSPSC) announced on the 13th that it will assign the new area code 465 to new telephone service applicants in Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and the Bronx.

The NYSPSC expects that the 465-area code will be issued starting in late 2026, when the current area codes 347, 718, 917, and 929 are expected to run out of available numbers. Unlike in 1984, when some users of area code 212 were forced to switch to 718, the addition of area code 465 will not impact existing subscribers. The new area code will be assigned only to new customers.

The decision to add area code 465 comes as the supply of available numbers within the existing area codes has reached saturation due to the widespread use of smartphones and portable internet access cards.

New York State is moving forward with the demolition of the Creedmoor Refugee Camp near Alley Pond Park in Bayside, Queens. On February 13th, State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Assembly Member Ed Braunstein, and New York City Council Member Linda Lee issued a joint statement announcing that they had received the final plan for the camp’s demolition from the Governor’s Office.

The Creedmoor Refugee Camp was established in July 2023 on the site of the Creedmoor Psychiatric Hospital to accommodate 1,000 asylum seekers. However, residents have persistently called for its closure due to concerns over its proximity to elementary schools and social welfare facilities.

Last November, the camp garnered further attention when a refugee staying there was arrested after taking a bus to New York to escape a police chase related to a shooting incident in Florida. This event led to the installation of metal detectors at the refugee camp as an added security measure.

Councilwoman Linda Lee expressed gratitude to the Governor for listening to the concerns of residents, stating, “I would like to thank Governor Hokule for listening to the needs of the local residents, and I will work closely with the state to ensure that the camp is removed as soon as possible.”

As egg prices skyrocket, Maryland restaurants are adjusting their menus to account for the soaring costs, with some charging extra for egg-based dishes.

Tasty Diner, a Bethesda-based restaurant chain, has yet to raise its prices due to the egg shortage but plans to do so next week. Items such as omelettes, French toast, and burritos will come with an additional charge per egg.

Beth Cox, the restaurant’s manager, explained that while egg prices fluctuate, this surge is unprecedented. “Egg prices go up and down, but I’ve never seen anything like this,” Cox said. “A few cents per egg might not mean much, but for a restaurant that buys 3,500 eggs a week, that’s a lot of money.” The price increase is set to take effect next week, though updating the menu to reflect the change may take some time.

The egg shortage is also impacting customers’ typical breakfast choices. One regular at Tasty Diner commented that the price increase “won’t change my ordering habits,” while another remarked, “I might order something else.”

Waffle House, which uses more than 270 million eggs annually, introduced a 50-cent surcharge for egg-based dishes starting on the 3rd of this month due to the rising egg prices. The chain stated, “We’re introducing the egg surcharge this week and will remove it once prices stabilize.”

The surge in egg prices is attributed to an outbreak of avian influenza, which led to the culling of millions of chickens in December 2022 and January 2023, significantly reducing the supply of eggs. The USDA has forecasted that egg prices could rise another 20% this year, with stabilization expected to take at least another year.

Amid the ongoing shortage, a shocking incident occurred in Pennsylvania on the night of January 31st, when around 100,000 eggs, valued at approximately $40,000, were stolen from a transport truck parked at an egg supplier in Franklin County. The theft highlights the extreme nature of the current egg shortage as demand continues to outpace supply.

It has been revealed that the fines collected through speed cameras in Virginia amount to tens of millions of dollars, prompting concern about the potential misuse of the technology. In response, the state House of Representatives recently passed a bill (HB 2041) to prohibit the installation and operation of speed cameras and curb the imposition of excessive fines. The bill was passed with a vote of 55 to 45 on the 4th and has since been sent to the state Senate for further consideration.

The debate centres around the concern that speed cameras, initially installed for the safety of residents, could be viewed as a tool for generating revenue rather than fulfilling their primary purpose of reducing traffic fatalities. If the public perceives the cameras as a means of securing government funds, there are fears that it could lead to further resentment and burdens on residents.

According to the state police department, $24 million in fines were collected last year through speed cameras installed in school zones, while $10 million was collected from cameras placed along highways. While Virginia had no speed cameras prior to 2020, the state legislature approved their installation to improve safety, particularly around schools. However, the significant revenue generated has raised concerns about the potential for fund diversion or even embezzlement, prompting calls for increased transparency and accountability in how the cameras are operated.

Democratic state Representative Holly Seibold, who introduced the bill, stated, “Speed cameras are not a way to make money, but to change drivers to drive safely.” The bill proposes the creation of an advisory committee to gather public opinion on the program and mandates the installation of warning signs and lights 1,000 feet in advance of roads where the cameras are in operation.

House Transportation Committee Chairwoman Karrie Delaney emphasized, “The most important goal is to reduce traffic accidents and fatalities by preventing speeding.” She also added, “We need to let more people know about this goal and work together to ensure everyone’s safety.” Delaney stressed that the bill’s goal is to ensure the transparent and fair management of speed cameras so that they are not perceived as a government money-making scheme.

As President Donald Trump moves forward with imposing tariffs on Canada and Mexico, there are growing concerns about the potential rise in gasoline prices in the United States. On February 1st, it was reported that the U.S. has imposed a 25% tariff on both Canada and Mexico, with an adjustment to a 10% tariff rate on Canadian energy. While this adjustment may offer some relief, experts warn that it could still be a “double-edged sword,” potentially driving up inflation in the U.S.

Canada and Mexico are major suppliers of crude oil to the U.S. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Canada supplies about 52% of the total crude oil imports to the U.S., while Mexico provides around 11%. Together, they account for a significant portion of the U.S. crude oil supply, with Canada producing 4 million barrels per day and Mexico exporting approximately 450,000 barrels per day to the U.S. The imposition of tariffs on these countries means that the cost of producing gasoline and other refined products will likely rise, with companies passing these higher costs onto consumers.

The U.S. East Coast, which relies on Canadian refineries to meet excess energy demand during peak seasons, is now facing higher costs due to the 10% tariff on Canadian crude oil imports. This could force the region to seek alternative sources, such as Europe, potentially leading to further price increases. Industry groups like the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) have expressed concerns, urging that crude oil, refined products, and petrochemical products be removed from the tariff list to prevent adverse effects on consumers.

The Canadian Petroleum Producers Association (CAPP) has also cautioned that the tariffs could disrupt the mutually beneficial trade relationship between the U.S. and its North American neighbours. They warned that higher energy costs could fuel inflation and harm the economies of both countries. Additionally, there is speculation that Asian markets, particularly China and India, could benefit from the shift in crude oil trade, purchasing Canadian and Mexican oil at lower prices.

While some analysts, such as Tom Croza from OPIS, believe that the 10% tariff may have a limited immediate impact on gasoline prices—especially during the off-season in February—others caution that the effect could be more significant if the tariffs persist into the summer. Higher tariffs are expected to cause price increases across various sectors in the U.S., including food, alcohol, automobiles, and building materials. Furthermore, the U.S. has also imposed a 10% tariff on China, ending the “de minimis exemption” that previously allowed small shipments (under $800) to avoid tariffs. This change is expected to hurt Chinese e-commerce companies, such as Alibaba and Temu, that have been using this loophole to compete with U.S. businesses.

The combination of these tariffs could put additional pressure on U.S. consumers, leading to higher prices and potential trade disruptions across several industries.