U.S. border agents are searching travellers’ smartphones and other electronic devices at a record rate, new data suggests amid a broader immigration crackdown by the Trump administration.

The latest figures released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) show there were 14,899 devices searched between April and June this year. That’s a 21-per cent jump from the previous quarter, and nearly 17 per cent higher than the previous highest quarterly number of 12,766 devices searched between January and March 2022.

Travellers are “obligated” to present their electronic devices and the information stored on it “in a condition that allows for the examination of the device and its contents,” the CBP says, including providing necessary passwords.

The Canadian privacy commissioner says Canadians should consider removing photos and other evidence of cannabis use or receipts of cannabis purchases from their devices, to reflect the drug’s illegality on the federal level in the U.S.