US Embassy responds to gov’t over confiscation of Mae Thomas’ cell phone

The United States Embassy in Georgetown on Friday responded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ query over the confiscation of a mobile phone belonging to Guyana’s Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mae Toussaint Jr. Thomas.

Thomas was last week en-route to China when her mobile phone was taken by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Miami International Airport.

She was allowed to continue onwards to China but without her phone, a move that left Guyanese authorities puzzled since the phone likely contains sensitive information related to national security and foreign relations.

But in response to the Guyana Government’s queries, the U.S Embassy, in a written response, said there was no specific information to share.

The response, seen by the News Room, came from the Deputy Chief of Mission, Adrienne Galanek; it outlined that travellers, including citizens of the United States, are subject to such inspections.

Galanek, in her response, said that once CBP officers at a port of entry need more information to determine a person’s admissibility into the U.S., that person may be directed to an interview area known as secondary inspection.

“Anyone, including U.S. citizens, may be subject to secondary inspection if the CBP officer has reservations about admitting him or her…It allows CBP officers to conduct additional research to verify information without delaying other travelers,” the US Embassy told the Foreign Ministry here.

During a secondary inspection, the CBP officer may ask detailed questions about travel plans and immigration history. Persons may be asked to produce additional proof of identification and detailed information about the purpose of their visit to the U.S.

To this end, Galanek reminded in the letter that both the person and their belongings may be subject to a thorough search. Such inspections may include a search of all electronic information stored on your laptop, cell phone or other electronic device.

The News Room was reliably informed that Thomas was not on official government business at the time of her travel.