Customs agents do not need probable cause or a warrant to initiate a routine seizure and basic search of your electronic devices at a U.S. port of entry.
Not necessarily true. Different courts have split on whether agents can search a phone. Physical searches are allowed; seizure of specific items like agricultural products, illegal drugs, weapons are allowed. Seizure of data is less clear.
Almost any seizure while under the border search exception is basically considered justified.
Not true. Seizure of specific items are justified. Fresh fruit/meat for example can be seized. A suitcase can be searched for drugs. Agents can't seize a suitcase that has no illicit substances just because they want. If an agent likes my [Sportsball team jersey of favorite player], they can't just seize it.
So if you delete your phone, burn your wallet, tear up your love letter to your EX, flush your drugs, etc. The border agents can view that as "Destruction or removal of property to prevent seizure"
The problem as noted by the lawyer in the video is the problem is the person must be given notice that property is to be preserved. For example, my company shreds old financial records digital and physical routinely because they only have so much storage room. The government can't charge the company with destruction of property if they never gave notice to preserve those records.
Don't like it? Write your legislature to reverse the long-held ruling.
Which long held ruling do you refer?