What level of suspicion is required for a non-immigration criminal violation during secondary inspections?

In the context of secondary inspections for non-immigration criminal violations, the standard required is reasonable suspicion. This means that the authorities must have specific and articulable facts that would lead a reasonable officer to believe that a person is involved in criminal activity. This standard is higher than a mere hunch or unparticular suspicion but does not require the certainty needed for a conviction.

The necessity for reasonable suspicion in secondary inspections allows law enforcement to conduct further inquiries into individuals who may potentially be violating laws. This standard is established to ensure that the rights of individuals are protected while still allowing law enforcement to address legitimate safety and security concerns effectively. As a result, reasonable suspicion acts as a critical balance between enabling enforcement and respecting constitutional protections against arbitrary government action.