US appeals court revives suit over border crossing photos
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A U.S. appeals court has reinstated a lawsuit that accuses U.S. Customs and Border Protection of illegally barring photography at border crossings.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday rejected a judge's conclusion that restrictions on photography were justified by the need to maintain security at the border and protect U.S. control of its territory.
The unanimous ruling by a three-judge panel of the court came in a lawsuit filed by two activists who say authorities deleted photos they took while on public property at California crossings with Mexico.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The men, Ray Askins and Christian Ramirez, say they have a First Amendment right to photograph border protection officers when the officers are working in areas exposed to public view.
An email to the border protection agency was not immediately returned.