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U.S. can open private mail in terrorism fight
By Reuters
01/09/05 -- -- WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. officials can open
personal mail arriving from abroad as part of the fight against
terrorism, and do so when they deem it necessary to protect the
country, a Customs and Border Protection spokeswoman said on Monday.
News of the little-known practise follows revelations that the
government approved eavesdropping on U.S. citizens without judicial
oversight after the September 11 attacks, which sparked concern from
civil liberties advocates and some lawmakers who called for
congressional hearings.
"Customs and Border Protection is charged with making sure that
terrorists and terrorists' weapons don't enter the country," said
Suzanne Trevino, a spokeswoman for the customs agency, which is part
of the Department of Homeland Security.
"One of our areas of responsibility is to inspect international mail
coming into our country," she said. "We respect privacy and always
keep that at the forefront, but at the same time we need to make
sure we do our job in keeping U.S. citizens safe."
Customs and Border Protection's web site notes that "all mail
originating outside United States Customs territory that is to be
delivered inside U.S. Customs territory is subject to Customs
examination."
Grant Goodman, an 81-year-old retired University of Kansas history
professor, drew attention to the policy after a letter he received
from a colleague in the Philippines was opened and resealed by
Customs and Border Protection, and only then sent on to him.
He said he was shocked and amazed that the letter -- which he
received last month from another retired history professor with whom
he has corresponded for 50 years -- had been screened.
"It was a big surprise," Goodman told Reuters. "The public should
know that this is being done. Nobody whom I know had any idea that
this was going on. And as far as I know, it's never been announced.
It's never been revealed that this is being done."
Trevino said she could not comment specifically on Goodman's case
because she had not seen the letter and was not sure if it had been
examined as he said. She did not say how often officials open mail
for security reasons.
© Reuters 2006. All rights reserved
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