WESLACO – U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspectors at the port of entry can in some cases search people’s phones, but it doesn’t happen often.

That’s information from the head of the Department of Homeland Security. He clarified how it works at a senate committee meeting this week.

Many people coming off the bridge in Hidalgo need their phone to call somebody to pick them up. But what many don’t know is that their phone can be searched by CBP.

CHANNEL 5 NEWS informed some of the people crossing the border that CBP can look at someone’s contacts, photos and texts.

Some people were against the searches, but others weren’t opposed.

“It may bother you if you have something to hide. If you don’t, it’s okay,” one person said.

CBP said officers at the bridge have the right to inspect “electronic devices, such as computers, disks, drives, tapes and mobile phones.” DHS Secretary John Kelly received more questions about it at a Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee meeting.

He said the searches never happen in the vast majority of cases.

“We don’t go into their luggage and inspect their luggage. It’s the same kind of thing. We will do it when we think there’s a reason to do it,” he said.

Kelly said the choice to look at a person’s device is made at the officer’s discretion and for a purpose.

“It’s essentially, we turn it on, we like to see their pictures. And again, we find child pornography, we find really grisly photographs of terrorist acts,” he said.

Despite the disclaimer, the news still made some travelers think.

“It’s a border. We may have friends who are here legally and illegally,” one person said.

Travelers may think about what’s on their phone the next time they cross the border into the U.S.