Customs and Border Protection opening mail from foreign countries

[originalpckelly]

This story was just over-looked:

"Last month Goodman, an 81-year-old retired University of Kansas history professor, received a letter from his friend in the Philippines that had been opened and resealed with a strip of dark green tape bearing the words “by Border Protection” and carrying the official Homeland Security seal."

*snip*

"“I was shocked and there was a certain degree of disbelief in the beginning,” Goodman said when he noticed the letter had been tampered with, adding that he felt his privacy had been invaded. “I think I must be under some kind of surveillance.”"

"A spokesman for the Customs and Border Protection division said he couldn’t speak directly to Goodman’s case but acknowledged that the agency can, will and does open mail coming to U.S. citizens that originates from a foreign country whenever it’s deemed necessary.

“All mail originating outside the United States Customs territory that is to be delivered inside the U.S. Customs territory is subject to Customs examination,” says the CBP Web site. That includes personal correspondence. “All mail means ‘all mail,’” said John Mohan, a CBP spokesman, emphasizing the point."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10740935/

[babylonsister]

1. Frankly, I expect that. I'm more concerned with mail that's been

opened that's been sent from within the U.S. I don't get that at all.

[originalpckelly]

2. Well...

We know it is possible for them to do it with foreign to domestic mail. How much of a stretch is it for them to open solely domestic mail?

With the recent reports of people on DU having mail going missing, I thought I would look into to this.

[babylonsister]

3. Yes, it's being done widely from accounts I've read on DU

as well as personal experience. And apparently with no apologies.
My dad's gf had a large envelope or box that had books in it (fiction) emptied; she received the packing but the contents were missing. :wtf:

[originalpckelly]

4. I think it probably started when...

the anthrax attacks happened.