U.S./Canada Border Homeland Security Jack Booted Thugs

[Shawn B]

A friend of mine and his girlfriend were recently detained and harassed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Stupidity...er I mean Security and their Canadian equals. They were returning to Montana from British Columbia. First they were asked a bunch of questions, which they mostly answered. Some of the questions were personal in nature. Then the agents made them pull off to the side, asked even more questions....agents still not satisfied. Made them go inside for more questioning, by Homeland Security and Canadian agents (Mounties ?).....agents still not satisfied. Friends were told agents would search their vehicle. My friend asked if he could go out and watch them conduct the search from a little distance, because they had some expensive items, etc. Agents told them for his safety he could not leave  the building. He asked if he could stand by the window and watch from a greater distance. The agent(s) in the building did not stop or tell him no...so he stood by the window and watched them conduct the search. One of the agents outside by his vehicle seen him standing at the window watching them search. My friend said the agent then walked back to the building and was told that he and his girlfriend would be detained and their vehicle taken to the garage for a more thorough search. My friend asked why. The agent told him because you were watching us search. At this point my friend was becoming incredulous and started asking them some more questions. The agents then told him that this was routine and they were selected randomly, again routine. Their vehicle goes to the garage for "thorough searching". My friend and his girlfriend wait, and wait....more meaningless questions. "How many years have you been together?" and "Do you live together?", etc. As any answer would threaten the security of the U.S. or Canada. Over one hour later an agent escorts them to their car, which is out in the garage and tells them they can leave. When they get out to the garage all of their stuff, suitcases, packages, etc is sitting on a table, with their vehicle sitting there doors and back open. Agent tells them to load up and leave. So they do. They drive down the road (in Montana now) pull over. They check their packages, suitcases, etc. He said the agents had opened up everything and rifled through their belongings. Stuff was a mess. They don't think anything was stolen by the Nazis....er I mean agents, but were still unpacking and making sure. They think the reason they were singled out was because of their Pro-Constitution, Campaign for Liberty bumper stickers. They intend to file a "complaint" for whatever good it will do.

[dug]

That story hit close to home because nearly the exact same thing happened to me except I was traveling solo, on a motorcycle. Unfortunately it is nothing new because my incident occurred in 1981, long before homeland security was dreamed up.

I went through the same process as your friends, except near the end I was strip searched as well. They didn't believe I was in Canada for a fishing trip despite all my fishing gear stashed on my bike. They told me I was selected randomly as well, I'm sure it had nothing to do with the fact that I had not shaved or changed clothes (much) for 2 weeks. 

The whole ordeal took over 3 hours and they left me to re pack all my gear which was strewn over about 1/4 acre, in the dark.   

[MushCreek]

I had that happen in 1979. They searched about half the vehicle very thoroughly, including door panels and taking the flashlights apart, and then suddenly stopped and said we could go. Which we did,after we put it all back together....

[Pox Eclipse]

An indignity I will never suffer.  I am not allowed in Canada.

[Squirl]

Unfortunately your rights (searches) seem to stop at the border.  I doubt it was because of a bumper sticker.  People with power like to bully people without.  It has always been that way.  Although, It may be worth a FOIA request for everything dealing with the incident and the names of your friends with Homeland security.  You would be surprised how many people they tell that they are on a watch list.

[MountainDon]

For decades I always ran into delays when it came to entering the USA from Canada. It didn't matter if it was an actual border post crossing by motor vehicle or a customs station in an airport. I would always be asked for all the addresses I had lived at, maybe queried if I had even lived in Xxxxxx? Fingers would fly across the keyboard. Sometimes I would be taken to a desk off to the side. Eventually I would be admitted. The delay was never more than 5 - 10 minutes.

Then I got a brand spanking new passport with the chip gizmo. Re-entering the USA with that in my hand is a breeze. No more extra questions. No more delay because of there being some other person with the same/similar names.

[peternap]

For decades I always ran into delays when it came to entering the USA from Canada. It didn't matter if it was an actual border post crossing by motor vehicle or a customs station in an airport. I would always be asked for all the addresses I had lived at, maybe queried if I had even lived in Xxxxxx? Fingers would fly across the keyboard. Sometimes I would be taken to a desk off to the side. Eventually I would be admitted. The delay was never more than 5 - 10 minutes.

Then I got a brand spanking new passport with the chip gizmo. Re-entering the USA with that in my hand is a breeze. No more extra questions. No more delay because of there being some other person with the same/similar names.

But now you're on a list for being here !

[NM_Shooter]

I got detained for 3 hours upon entrance to Canada.  They thought I was there to work.

[OlJarhead]

I have been traveling back and forth between BC and WA for years now...often 2 or 3 times in a year (both ways)....and while I was once pulled over for the vehicle search, my buddy and I laughed about it -- because if you can't trust a Marine and a Soldier then who can you trust?

99.9% of the time you are asked a few simple questions and allowed through.

Now, like Don, I've gone High Tech and gotten the Enhanced Drivers License (not Passport becuase this was much cheaper) and the little chip tells them to leave me alone   SO they do.

However, I've had plenty of experience with Jack Booted Thugs in WA State!  They exist everywhere and until American's realize that growing government has it's consequences they will continue to grow in number.

[dug]

99.9% of the time you are asked a few simple questions and allowed through.

Well I've been through just once and managed to hit that .01%. Should have played the lotto that day.

I was young and I must admit that incident had a negative impact on shaping my opinion of the US of A. Good fishing up there though! 

[MountainDon]

the Enhanced Drivers License (not Passport becuase this was much cheaper)

You at least had that option. Good Ole Gov Bill here in NM declared that NM would issue drivers licenses to illegal immigrants so a NM DL is no good for that sort of thing. 50,000 issued if we believe the anti-Dem campaign adverts. We now have a new Gov and she has promised to repeal that law. No word on weather or not or how they will withdraw the licenses.   But I needed the passport for travel to Europe anyhow.

[OlJarhead]

the Enhanced Drivers License (not Passport becuase this was much cheaper)

You at least had that option. Good Ole Gov Bill here in NM declared that NM would issue drivers licenses to illegal immigrants so a NM DL is no good for that sort of thing. 50,000 issued if we believe the anti-Dem campaign adverts. We now have a new Gov and she has promised to repeal that law. No word on weather or not or how they will withdraw the licenses.   But I needed the passport for travel to Europe anyhow.

Didn't like it actually, because you have to agree to facial recognition etc but it is handy.  THe passport would be better though.

Oh and illegals getting licenses?  amazing isn't it