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HR 2925 116th Congress House Immigration Border security and unlawful immigration Computers and information technology Congressional oversight Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation Department of Homeland Security Digital media Evidence and witnesses Government information and archives Immigration status and procedures Racial and ethnic relations Right of privacy Telephone and wireless communication

Protecting Data at the Border Act

Introduced: May 22, 2019 Introduced by: Lieu, Ted Democratic · California See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 26, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
Jun 26, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Jun 11, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations.
May 22, 2019
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
May 22, 2019
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Protecting Data at the Border Act

This bill limits government access to digital information at the border.

A governmental entity may not (1) access the digital contents of electronic equipment of a U.S. person at the border without a warrant, (2) deny such a person's entry into or exit from the United States because the person refused to provide access to digital content on electronic equipment or online account information, (3) delay such a person's entry or exit for more than four hours to determine whether the person will consent to providing access to online information, or (4) seize electronic equipment from a U.S. person without probable cause to believe that such equipment contains information relevant to a felony.

A governmental entity may access the contents of electronic equipment of a U.S. person without a warrant in an emergency. The entity must subsequently apply for a warrant within seven days, and if a warrant is not granted, the seized information must be destroyed and may not be disclosed.

A governmental entity may not make or retain a copy of information accessed under this bill without probable cause to believe that such information relates to a crime.

Information seized in violation of this bill (1) must be destroyed, (2) may not be disclosed, and (3) may not be received in evidence in any trial or government proceeding.

A governmental entity shall keep a record of each instance in which it obtains access to an individual's digital information at the border.

What's happening now June 26, 2019

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 5
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2925: Protecting Data at the Border Act. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-2925/
MLA
"H.R. 2925: Protecting Data at the Border Act." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-2925/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2925, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-2925/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2925: Protecting Data at the Border Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-2925/)
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