In recent years, the U.S. Department of Justice has brought an increasing number of cases aimed at combating economic espionage as part of its China Initiative. This effort has included cases against scientific researchers working at American universities for alleged failures to disclose foreign ties or funding, and against efforts to smuggle federally funded research to China.

While federal prosecutors have charged a number of academic researchers across the U.S. with a variety of crimes, many of these cases have one thing in common: The charges stem from a search of the researcher's physical luggage or electronic devices at an airport.

Originally published on Law360 - December 15, 2020.