‘Praying for it to end’: Vermont superintendent speaks out after ICE interrogation

Incident Overview - An American citizen and Vermont school superintendent was detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) upon returning from Nicaragua via Houston [1][3] - The individual, a naturalized citizen with Global Entry (NEXUS), experienced unusual scrutiny despite routine international travel [4][5] Allegations of Misconduct - CBP officers allegedly attempted to access the superintendent's district-issued laptop containing sensitive student data, which would violate federal privacy laws and district policy [2][9][10] - The superintendent reported being told he had no constitutional rights at a point of entry [2][11] - The interrogation lasted for approximately 4-5 hours, involving at least five officers, some in civilian clothes without clear identification [8][7] - The individual's marriage was questioned, and he was separated from his spouse during the detention [5][6][13] CBP Response and Policies - CBP states that electronic device searches follow strict policies and directives, are rare, and highly regulated, used to identify and combat serious crimes [14] - CBP asserts that travelers are obligated to present electronic devices and information in a condition that allows for examination [15] Resolution and Aftermath - The detention ended with officers telling personal stories and one officer complimenting the superintendent's resilience [18] - The superintendent was unsure if officers accessed district files on his devices [17]