Policing for Profit: The Unseen Border Crisis

Federal agents seized $40,000 from an American citizen at the border without filing a single criminal charge, exposing a government forfeiture machine that turns law-abiding travelers into victims forced to prove their innocence.

Story Snapshot

U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized approximately $40,000 in cash from citizen Anthonia Nwaorie in 2017 without charging her with any crime
Civil asset forfeiture allows federal agencies to confiscate property based solely on suspicion, bypassing constitutional protections requiring charges or convictions
Similar cases show CBP and other agencies routinely seize tens of thousands from travelers, later returning funds only after lengthy legal battles
A former Justice Department forfeiture director calls the practice a “monster,” warning it incentivizes policing for profit over constitutional rights

Border Seizure Without Due Process

On October 31, 2017, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents seized approximately $40,000 in cash from Anthonia Nwaorie, an American citizen attempting to re-enter the United States at a border crossing. CBP confiscated her money under civil asset forfeiture authority, invoking federal currency reporting requirements for amounts exceeding $10,000. No criminal charges were filed against Nwaorie, no evidence of wrongdoing was presented, and no trial occurred. She was simply stripped of her life savings because federal agents deemed the cash suspicious, flipping the burden of proof and forcing her to become a legal defendant to reclaim her own property.

The Forfeiture Machine Targets Citizens

Civil asset forfeiture traces back to 17th-century English admiralty law but exploded in the United States during the 1980s War on Drugs. Federal agencies retain 80 to 100 percent of seized assets, creating a financial incentive to confiscate property aggressively. Post-9/11 expansions under the Department of Homeland Security granted Border Patrol and CBP sweeping authority at ports of entry, airports, and border crossings to seize cash without warrants. These agencies claim plenary search powers, arguing that border enforcement justifies bypassing Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches. The result is a system where carrying large amounts of cash—perfectly legal—becomes grounds for indefinite confiscation.

Pattern of Seizures and Returns

Nwaorie’s case is far from isolated. Legal records reveal a disturbing pattern: CBP, ICE, and DEA have seized cash from travelers at Tampa, Orlando, and other airports, often returning funds only after victims hire attorneys and file federal claims. In 2021, agents returned $57,000 to a Tampa traveler after courts found no probable cause. In 2020, $40,253 was returned following a Brevard traffic stop. Additional cases in 2019 saw $63,490 and $45,001 returned after seizures, and $30,000 was refunded in 2018. Each time, the government took money from citizens without charges, held it for months or years, and only relented when faced with legal action.

Constitutional Rights Under Siege

This forfeiture system undermines core constitutional protections. The Fourth Amendment guards against unreasonable searches and seizures, while the Fifth Amendment prohibits government from depriving citizens of property without due process. Civil asset forfeiture inverts these principles: property is treated as guilty, and owners must prove innocence in federal court within strict deadlines. Brad Cates, a former Justice Department forfeiture program director, bluntly admitted, “We created a monster.” His warning highlights how financial incentives have corrupted a tool meant to combat organized crime into a profit center targeting ordinary Americans. In 2023, the Justice Department paused the DEA’s airport cash seizure program due to constitutional concerns, yet DHS and CBP continued identical practices into 2024.

Economic and Social Fallout

The financial and emotional toll on victims is severe. Individuals lose access to life savings for months or years, forcing them to take loans or abandon legal challenges they cannot afford. Small business owners, families saving for homes, and travelers carrying legitimate funds face identical treatment as suspected criminals. Minorities and communities of color are disproportionately targeted in these seizures, amplifying distrust of federal law enforcement. The broader chilling effect discourages lawful border travel and business, while federal agencies reap billions annually to fund operations. This “policing for profit” model prioritizes revenue over justice, eroding the principle that the government serves citizens rather than preys upon them.

Fighting Back and Seeking Reform

Legal advocates have successfully challenged dozens of seizures, securing full refunds after demonstrating lack of probable cause. Victims who file timely claims often see Assistant U.S. Attorneys drop cases to avoid hearings that could expose constitutional violations. Advocacy groups like Hold CBP Accountable document patterns of harassment and retaliation, filing lawsuits to curb abuses. Ongoing litigation, such as Borowski v. CBP, targets systemic overreach. Congressional hearings in 2023 spotlighted the border crisis and forfeiture practices, with reform proposals requiring criminal convictions before property confiscation. These efforts reflect growing bipartisan recognition that civil asset forfeiture, as currently practiced, violates fundamental American values of limited government, individual liberty, and the presumption of innocence.