What does INA § 235(d)(1) empower agents to do regarding conveyances?

INA § 235(d)(1) grants agents the authority to search any conveyance that they have reason to believe is transporting undocumented aliens. This is an important power that enables law enforcement to engage in proactive measures to identify and apprehend individuals who may be in violation of immigration laws. The focus here is not on a general search for illegal items like firearms, but specifically on the possibility of aliens being transported unlawfully.

This provision is part of the broader efforts to control immigration and prevent human trafficking or smuggling. The act of searching a conveyance can include vehicles such as cars, buses, boats, and other forms of transportation that may be used to transport individuals across borders without proper documentation. This targeted approach ensures that enforcement efforts focus on areas where there is credible suspicion of immigration-related violations.