KING

SEATTLE – It doesn't matter who you are. It doesn't matter if the worst thing you've ever done is jaywalked.

Border agents can now take your laptop computer or other electronic device to an off-site location indefinitely and share its contents with other agencies.

That policy is one of several recently disclosed by the Department of Homeland Security.

According to published reports, copies of what's on your device can be used for language translation and data decryption, among other things – even if you're not suspected of doing anything wrong.

Opponents are quickly pouncing on the new policies, such as Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis. He is trying to introduce legislation to require at least reasonable suspicion for border searches. He also wants to prohibit racial, religious or national origin profiling.

Officials with Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., say she is working with Feingold on the legislation and hope to introduce it next month.

Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Wash., is on the House Subcommittee on Border, Maritime and Global Counterterrorism. Rep. Reichert had not returned calls to KING 5 Friday afternoon for comment.

Homeland Security reportedly claims the searches and seizures are reasonable to prevent terrorism. They apply to anyone, including U.S. citizens, entering the country.

The policy includes hard drives, flash drives, cell phones, iPods, pagers, beepers video and audio tapes. Books, pamphlets and other written materials can also be seized.