While using a clean phone with nothing on it sounds like a good plan, it also looks very suspicious and can attract more attention. So take that into account when traveling regardless of the destination. Just like anonymization on your browser, the goal is to blend in, not stand out.

Honestly, it depends a lot on where you’re coming from and what you look like. And to be frank, it’s a little overblown to be paranoid enough to go that far, unless you are a high profile person of interest like a journalist or someone involved in politics. If you’re just an ordinary bloke going on vacation or attending a conference, you will be fine with basic precautions.

The best advise I can give you is to not draw attention. I live in the US but when even I have traveled abroad and came back they have never asked to see a personal device.

Maybe bring a burner device just in case

Do not take your normal devices in case they are seized for random bullshit reasons. They can and will. They will often be returned to you destroyed and unusable.

Take a device you buy just for this trip. Maybe ditch the tablet instead of buying one for the trip. Do not set up biometrics on it. Do not connect it to your usual services.

Is it a gaurantee this kind of thing will happen? No.

Does this thing happen often enough to foreign travellers to make it worth leaving your main devices behind? Yes.

All that "freedom" is just for US citizens. They absolutely can and will fuck with any and all foreign people. Its stupid.

ITT: A lot of folks with way too much trust in the USA being "reasonable." I'm sorry, but when the TSA interrogates people with autism because they act different you're not convincing me they know what the fuck they're doing or won't harass random fucking people. This "act normal" shit is so stupid say to anyone who is neurodivergent, which is enough for USA security forces to choose to fuck with you.

If you are doing something illegal then you should definitely bring a new device. If you are not doing something illegal then you should just bring your normal device and keep it locked/off when entering.

They can force biometrics but not pin, but they will only do that if you're already in super deep trouble for breaking the law. Just be normal and you'll have no issues.

(I don’t know your sex, so if this doesn’t apply, disregard it.)

Depending on what state you’re going to, make sure you’re not using any ovulation tracking apps. If you are or might be pregnant, it’s dangerous to go to red states right now, especially if the authorities know about it.

People keep saying that they can’t for e you to enter your pin, but they can enforce biometrics.

I’m pretty sure that immigration in the US can just confiscate your devices if you are not a citizen .

Take only fresh installed devices with you with only the absolute necessary data and applications. Create a new email address for anything on this device.

When going through customs, turn your devices off, and make sure they're pin or password locked.

They still can try to compel you to open them by saying they won't let you go, and they can keep you detained for a long time.

Ya don't go. /s

But for real, so many better places to visit in the world.

But definitely remove biometrics at minimum.

If your OS allows you could setup a dummy user profile and have your phone on that at the border?

if you have grapheneos they just recently added the ability to set a "security pin" that starts an uninterruptable wipe with no restart needed. Just make sure its not something you can pocket fumble accidentally.

Disable fingerprint and face scan.

Or just removing my biometrics?

Ultimately you shouldn't cross the US border carrying devices or encrypted data which you aren't prepared to unlock for DHS/CBP, unless you're willing to lose the hardware and/or be denied entry if/when you refuse to comply.

If they decide to, you'll be handed this: "You are receiving this document because CBP intends to conduct a border search of your electronic device(s). This may include copying and retaining data contained in the device(s). [...] Failure to assist CBP in accessing the electronic device and its contents for examination may result in the detention of the device in order to complete the inspection."

Device searches were happening a few hundred times each month circa 2009 (the most recent data i could find in a quick search) but, given other CBP trends, presumably they've become more frequent since then.

In 2016 they began asking some visa applicants for social media usernames, and then expanded it to most applicants in 2019, and the new administration has continued that policy. I haven't found any numbers about how often they actually deny people entry for failing to disclose a social media account.

In 2017 they proposed adding the authority to also demand social media passwords but at least that doesn't appear to have been implemented.

Wipe your phone, restore from backup once you’re in.

Honestly, if you have any older or formatted devices I'd just bring those.

Don't carry huge amounts of cash. Our police will steal it from you saying they think it was ill-gotten and you have to go to court to get it back. It's called civil forfeit.

Turn off biometrics. You can be compelled to submit a fingerprint or pose for a camera. You can't be compelled to reveal something you know (self-incrimination). Though that hasn't stopped at least one judge from keeping someone indefinitely detained.

For the most part, our country isn't a nightmare. But it can become one very easily under certain conditions. This is the rare outcome you hope to avoid that realistically won't occur for most visitors.

Buy a gun

I think you're overthinking it. I used to go into the US often for business and I have never had any of my electronic devices searched. The best advice is to leave your phone at home and buy a cheaper pre-paid travel phone. Not because of privacy but what if it's lost, stolen, or confiscated? It's no big deal losing a burner phone.

For all hard drives you are looking to bring, look into plausible deniability using a hidden volume. Veracrypt supports this.