Originally published February 15 2006
Customs admits it opens personal mail from foreign addresses in the interest of national security
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has admitted that it opens personal mail in the interest of national security, as retired history professor Grant Goodman found out for himself after a letter sent to him from the Philippines was opened and resealed by the agency.
A Customs and Border Protection spokeswoman says U.S officials are opening personal mail that comes in from abroad when they deem it necessary to protect the country from terrorism.
This news comes on the heels of revelations the government resorted to eavesdropping on citizens without previous government approval following the 9/11 attacks.
Suzanne Trevino, a spokeswoman for the agency, says, "Customs and Border Protection is charged with making sure that terrorists and terrorists' weapons don't enter the country.
One of our areas of responsibility is to inspect international mail coming into our country.
We respect privacy and always keep that at the forefront, but at the same time we need to make sure we do our job in keeping U.S. citizens safe."
The Customs and Border Protection Web site states, "all mail originating outside United States Customs territory that is to be delivered inside U.S. Customs territory is subject to Customs examination."
Grant Goodman, an 81-year-old retired history professor, drew attention to the matter after discovering a letter he received from a colleague in the Philippines was opened and resealed by the agency, and then forwarded to him.
He expressed shock at the fact the letter had been screened.
Goodman tells Reuters, "It was a big surprise.
The public should know that this is being done.
Nobody whom I know had any idea that this was going on.
And as far as I know, it's never been announced.
It's never been revealed that this is being done."
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