WTF.... WELCOME BACK TO USA

Wife and I returned today in separate vehicles, and for the 5 th consecutive time sent for further search. I asked if we were being profiled, as there was no record of our leaving USA! Driving creates no record! We have no record, other than knowing ZED....LOL. They went thru our spices looking suspiciously at the Oregano......I suggested they check the Freaking arrowroot, as it may be cocaine........she didn't see the humour(for my Canadian friends) either. They asked me to unload the back of the F150, I declined as I couldn't, but invited them to have at it. She suggested eggs were on the prohibited list, even though hard boiled, and cumin was really unacceptable......NO SHIT!

Those that know me, know I could be in the slammer at this point! The icing was, I asked, Why are all the foreign(MEXICAN VEHICLES) going thru without inspection? I am an American Citizen.........should a said......I voted for your boss.......didn't, probably kept me out a jail.........so WTF:31: 

Cumin?

They are obviously good at their job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If it is any consolation, we have never been singled out for additional inspection either driving or flying.

I know you believe they don't have a record of you leaving the US but I bet they can look up your vehicles and tell exactly when they have crossed heading south. How? Cameras that record your crossings and software that enters them in a database.

I believe they can record everything Neil, but not this time.....just to mess with daddy, I left Mexico hidden, road back in another rig ....no freaking way your big eared president could a known.....just laughin with ya!

Good to be back in the USA for a few weeks........no military checks!

CheenaGringo wrote:They are obviously good at their job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  If it is any consolation, we have never been singled out for additional inspection either driving or flying.

I know you believe they don't have a record of you leaving the US but I bet they can look up your vehicles and tell exactly when they have crossed heading south.  How?  Cameras that record your crossings and software that enters them in a database.

Cops here are using cameras that automatically run license plate numbers thru data base... instantly tells em if the plate is valid or the owner has any warrants... this technology stuff is making it harder and harder ta be a crook!

Jim ... those Border fellers are trained ta spot Shifty Look'n Characters.
While you were getting your Rectal Inspection... Deb wuz probably hav'n a snooze in her vehicle.... lol.... snork  

Snork yer butt ma friend......they missed the brownies! snork

I go back and forth frequently.  I get sent to secondary 50% of the time.  When I had my RV it was 100% of the time.  I never give them any attitude and let them do their job, which is to protect the USA.

These men and women are on the front lines defending our country.  I always thank them for their service.

Something else to remember is that you have NO constitutional rights or protections at the border.

Playaboy wrote:I go back and forth frequently.  I get sent to secondary 50% of the time.  When I had my RV it was 100% of the time.  I never give them any attitude and let them do their job, which is to protect the USA.

These men and women are on the front lines defending our country.  I always thank them for their service.

Something else to remember is that you have NO constitutional rights or protections at the border.  

No offense intended, BUTT, My son served 1 tour in Bosnia, 3 tours in Iraq, and that is front lines.......your comparison is BULLSHIT!  When was the last time one of these inspectors were injured in the line of duty?   Please enlighten me!  I get sent for secondary 100% of the time!  I know my constitutional rights as well, once I've crossed the border, my rights are preserved, prove me wrong playaboy! If I am wrong I will offer gracious apology!

Here's some simplified versions of why you have no rights within 100 miles of a US -international border:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border_search_exception


http://www.rightsidenews.com/2013070732852/us/homeland-security/the-u-s-border-a-constitution-free-zone-where-officials-can-grab-your-computer-and-copy-your-hard-drive.html

http://www.aclu.org/national-security_technology-and-liberty/are-you-living-constitution-free-zone

and here is a listing of the US CBP officers killed in the line of duty:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/border_security/border_patrol/border_patrol_officer_memorial/chron_listing_agents/

I have found the best thing to do is just say yessir, no sir, and volunteer or expound on nothing unless asked a direct, specific question. Show no anger or impatience in front of them. It also doesn't matter what they're doing to anyone else at that moment. Just keep repeating in your head the mantra "they're the government and they're here to help."

thanks for the links. Never thought about it.  Been searched twice.. pita. No doubt.  I let them do their job and keep my mouth shut.

Thanks for the links, I had no idea as well. I apologize to "Playaboy"
 This trip search was really weird, all the way to being told hard boiled eggs were on the banned list.  
How does one keep up on the ever changing list of items?     They said they search all vehicles loaded like ours. 

I don't enjoy the inconvenience of being searched either, and they take your passport and keys and put them on your windshield, the temp is over a hundred degrees, tell you to wait in your vehicle  for another inspector, it doesn't feel right.  I don't understand why one can't listen to music and have air conditioning running.

Just sayin...

The latest thing is to stop you going south and bother you. They are such nice people.
I am always relieved when I am back in Mexico as dealing with the Mexican guards and
inspectors is always much easier and much more relaxing.

While they were hassling you Jim,there were probably thousands of Mexicans with "calves the size of cantaloupes"sprinting across the desert with loads of drugs strapped to their backs.

viajero wrote:While they were hassling you Jim,there were probably thousands of Mexicans with "calves the size of cantaloupes"sprinting across the desert with loads of drugs strapped to their backs.

TFF Chris and probably true. I think the thing that pissed me off most was their failure to actually search for contraband. They didn't look into sealed packing boxes, etc.

Not to mention we got to McDonalds 3 minutes late to buy a Egg and Sausage McMuffin........  They stop serving them @ 11 AM

Jim W wrote:
 I think the thing that pissed me off most was their failure to actually search for contraband.   They didn't look into sealed packing boxes, etc.  

The last time I crossed they made me unload everything in the truck and then didn't open anything and had me load it back up. 

On a recent return trip to Canada I was momentarily delayed at the Phoenix airport. It was a simple computer error that affected about six to eight people on the flight. After arriving in Phoenix and going through immigration the agent directed all of us to a waiting room until the plane had been offloaded and the agents were available to do our paperwork. We were directed into the Homeland Security office which was a lot like a doctor's waiting room with comfortable seating and carpeting. Once the agents returned to the room the first thing they told us was that we all had to sit down, that STANDING WAS NOT ALLOWED in this waiting room. None of us could figure this out and they would not enlighten us as to why they have this policy, still dont know to this day why you are not allowed to stand in their waiting room, or what would be the outcome if you did not take a seat. When my turn came to retrieve my documents and leave the area the first comment I made after my name was called, was that it would be impossible for me to walk over and retrieve my documents without first standing up to do so - this was deemed Ok to do, without explanation of why Ok now and not a minute ago.
I got my documents, had to leave the secure area only to be directed through security (a forty minute wait) to end up back in the secure area again to wait for my next flight.
I will from now on try to fly directly into Canada without stopping in the US despite the extra costs involved.

Keep in mind that these jobs are not being filled by our best and brightest. If you had a dozen brain cells all firing at the same time, would you want that job?

A friend's brother was in charge of recruiting for the early Homeland Security and he told my friend it was a nightmare to find people even somewhat qualified. And then trying to train them...

I just spent the day driving north bringing another car out of Mexico. I crossed at Reynosa using the Anzalduas bridge.  It took almost 3 hours to get to the USA booths.  It was 100+ degrees and about 90% humidity.  When I finally got up to the booth, it was a nice "Hello.  How long have you been in Mexico"?  I told him 2 weeks.  He asked me if I go to Mexico often?  I said that I lived there.  He put my passport on the window and told me to drive to secondary.  I waited 15 minutes for an officer to come to my van, which only had my suitcase inside.

The officer looked at my passport, than stares at me.  "Do you come here often"?   "Yes I do but how do you know that?  He said "I just love that corn on the cob t-shirt you are wearing".  (it is a great t-shirt)  I was just stunned, but he was smiling.  He ask if I had anything to declare?  No I said.  He handed me my passport and told me to have a great day.

Now I don't know what to do.  Should I wear that shirt when crossing or not?

OMG I have a corn on the cob tshirt...it has this corn and a caption that says ¨bite me¨¨.
Hell yeah, wear the shirt!

The very first time I entered the US was in 1949 when I was 2 years old and I have crossed god knows how many times since then. When I hand them my US Passport at entry, I know they are seeing each and every crossing I have ever made. I have never felt the need to "hard ass" them and guess what? Every entry into the US or exit has been a no hassle experience!

The U.S. border agents have always been so nice in my experience also. If they ask questions or want to have a look they are just dong their jobs. Its just part of the trip and it takes as long as it takes, at least they have never ripped my car apart and super glued it back together like the Mexican side has..
I sure wouldnt expect them to just look at me and know I dont have anything to hide . Besides that, the people watching at the boarder is great!

On occasion, US Border Patrol/Customs Agents have asked us really strange or odd questions. My guess is to get a reading on how you respond? Our personal favorite was when they asked us three times during one crossing: "Do you have any rocks?"

CheenaGringo wrote:On occasion, US Border Patrol/Customs Agents have asked us really strange or odd questions.  My guess is to get a reading on how you respond?  Our personal favorite was when they asked us three times during one crossing: "Do you have any rocks?"

My response might be.......Only in my head.....lmao   

And you wonder why you have problems with them?