Do border security understand how password managers work, or would I have to tell them how to access my own data?
Showerthought: If I delete my password manager from my phone, maybe the password manager should perform geolocation and detect if the application is trying to be installed at an airport (possibly indicating installation against my will). That's a very nuanced situation.
[0]: https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2009/10/evil_maid_att...
1. Lying to them falls under "fraudulent access to the USA" and the penalty is permanent exclusion, no Visa will help you, you have no right to appeal.
2. You cannot discuss or appeal anything, there isn't a discussion that you are a part of in which you get to explain your side or proffer an excuse... your actions already did your talking.
Don't lie to border control, don't give BS excuses. Either you're willing to give them access or you shouldn't have boarded the plane. "I can't because I don't remember" is not a right to enter the USA... you do not have that right, the right is granted by them.
*excluding US citizens, who are also affected by these practices.