Can U.S. customs download all the files on your notebook computer?

I read somewhere that us customs can do that. Is that true?
What about external harddrives?
It would be best if the names of any legislation regarding this could be provided.

Yes they can. They can "have a look" and even
seize it if they find something or you refuse.

I don't have a link at hand but we ran into that
problem a couple of times and some data must
not be seen by some random underpaid custom
officer. That's why we usually transmit the data
ahead and travel with clean computers. The
check hardly takes longer than 5 minutes that
way and you avoid endless discussions why
he can't have access to the computer or certain
parts of it.

If you cross the border with it, they can. Just like they can intercept your email, or tap your phone, spy on you, basically anything they want, under the dictator bush's "homeland security policy". "F" the constitution, bush keeps a copy right next to the "white house toilet", and not for reading either.

this article from the NY Times should be helpful

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/07/us/07b...