Around the fourth hour of his detention at the airport, Reason reporter Matthew Petti decided to ask for a lawyer. The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent at the front desk refused.

Petti told the agent that he can't indefinitely hold an American citizen. "It's not indefinite," the agent replied, adding, "We'll let you know".

That little exchange captures the absolute power that CBP claims over travelers, including Americans, going far beyond any domestic law enforcement interrogation. You don't have a right to contact a lawyer, nor do you have a right to know why you're being detained or what will happen next.

Click the link in our bio to read more about Petti's hours-long detention, and why he filed a Freedom of Information Act request to get answers.

#fourthamendment #cbp #borderpatrol #travel