The ACLU and immigrant-rights activists filed a Freedom of Information Act complaint against U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for the agency’s failure to provide information related to its “100-mile zone” policy—which authorizes agents to engage in warrantless vehicle searches within 100 miles of any international border or waterway. The complaint was filed in federal district court by the ACLU of Michigan and attorneys representing the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center. 

Read the ACLU Complaint against U.S. Customs and Border Protection's "100 Mile Zone" 

Because CBP considers all of Michigan to be within its “100-mile zone,” the agency permits its agents to search the vehicle of any motorists anywhere in the state—even those belonging to American citizens and legal immigrants—without a warrant. The agency has refused several requests to turn over information related to the stops, detentions, arrests and complaints stemming from the policy.

Read the ACLU Fact Sheet on Customs and Border Protection's "100 Mile Zone"

Learn more about how the 100 Mile Zone works across the United States