i cross the border every week (by care). Im a us citizen but have family in Tijuana. iv experianced some great, professionl, well spoken officers. Although i have also come across a few bad ones. Those that abuse there authority and ask you irrelivant questions (what highschool did you attend? who was your 6th period teacher? what hospital were you born in? who was our 6th presidant? ) these are questions i should know the answer to but are irrelivant to my citizenship. when i look at them like "why are you asking me this?" the get offended and try to say thats how they prove im a citizen (not in those words but that is what they have me understand) And also use intimidation and sarcastic tones. iv come across a handfull but i just feel like they give a bad name to those agents whom just want to do there job in a respectful manner. what would be the most effective and best way to approach a complaint? will it work??
2007-10-06 20:51:15 · 14 answers · asked by x_masangel69 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
i do belive being questioned is necessary but i have been literaly been asked who my 6th period teacher was that vs where were you born? is retarded and wasting my time. If this reperesenting how are borders are being secured it worries me and i belive something should be done about it.
2007-10-06 21:02:24 · update #1
excuse my bad grammer , still a little upset and irritated it just happened (for 2nd time this month) about and hour ago.
2007-10-06 21:09:58 · update #2
That is how it works. They don't know you. They don't know if your documents are forged or not yours. They ask random questions any actual US citizen should be able to answer pretty quickly and in a appropriate way. That type of questioning has been around for centuries, believe it or not. It is always the one way to flush out the enemy. In WW2 German soldiers in US perfect US uniforms, speaking perfect English with no accent where caught simply because they did not know who won the world series or where times square was.
Like every profession, you will have your good apples and your not so go. This goes for plumbers and border agents alike. I can tell you if you get sarcastic, argue with them etc, they will make your experience more difficult as I am sure you know!
The ironic part is the ones you think are "nice" are not really doing their jobs and the ones you think are mean and abusing their authority, are actually doing their job by really making sure it is you who the documents belong to.
The most effective way to deal with this is by answering every question posed and doing whatever they ask you to do. Don't forget, they can deny you entry, regardless of citizenship. You are not in the US and they can simply not allow you back in if they feel you are being evasive or they have reason to doubt you are who you are. They can make your life VERY difficult. It happens all the time, so don't let it happen to you. The burden of proof to prove citizenship is on YOU not them. They'll simply not let you in and you can go to the US embassy or counsulate in Mexico and prove your case. So fight them and act as pompous as you would like. That only raises suspicion. They feel actual americans appreciate the fact they are doing their jobs and only those with something to hide get all idignant and loud. The border is not the place to get all upity, trust me!
Your only other option is to not leave the country and then you will not have to deal with this horrendous, painful experience.
2007-10-07 01:33:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
Ok, to begin, those officers are not border patrol agents. With the merger of the port inspectors (now titled CBP officers) with the U.S. Border Patrol people have, for some strange reason, trouble telling the difference. Here's how it works...
CBP officers work at the port of entry. They wear blue uniforms.
Border Patrol agents work BETWEEN the ports of entry and wear green uniforms. BPA's do a different job that CBP officers. Both are very task specific in their skill sets and that's why there is a very necessary difference.
If you feel like filing an unfounded complaint then please file it with the right bureau.
Now, as far as those "silly questions". They have a point and they have a reason. Those questions are useful in many ways to helping determine the varicity of someone's claim to U.S. citizenship.
All officers and agents are supposed to apply professionalism at all times and I would not condone sarcastic behavior. However, they are human beings and any person who has spent all day, every day having to listen to TV educated lawyers trying to tell him or her how to do their jobs, what they're doing wrong, etc. is going to slip from time to time.
I suggest you be glad that they are willing to spend the time letting you vent and badger them instead of sending you to the back to talk with the officer assigned to do more in-depth interviews. In the interest of expediency I'm sure it would be an acceptable practice since they are constantly harassed by everyone from Federal Government to local government to the local chamber of commerce to keep those lines moving as rapidly as possibly.
Soon it will be a requirement to have a U.S. passport in order to cross at the land ports of entry. Why don't you get one now and then you won't have to answer as many questions.
2007-10-07 22:05:50 · answer #2 · answered by deus ex machina 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are public / civil servants and should be courteous and respectful to the people they serve, after all their pay comes from the citizens taxes.
It is not an excuse to be rude, no matter how many times they have to ask questions, some of which appear to be very irrelevant.
But it appears if you stick some people into a uniform and give them a gun the narcissistic side of their nature comes to the fore.
I would address a letter of complaint to the local office, (but, remember once you sign it, you will probably end up on a "list" for special treatment including longer delays for no apparent reason" than you face now.
Such can be the petty revenge of slighted minor public / civil servants.
2007-10-06 21:02:45 · answer #3 · answered by conranger1 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
My husband is in the military working with the border patrol and I have been treated like s**t by a few of them myself. The only thing I can suggest is to get their badge number and report them to their supervisor.
I wasn't even near the border, I was in the parking lot of the border patrol station waiting for my husband to come out to get his lunch and an agent came up to me and started asking all kinds of questions. He wanted to know who my husband was, where I was born, where my kids were born and other irrelevant questions, so I wrote down his name and badge number and went to his boss. That agent was disciplined the next day. He had other complaints against him too. He was suspended and now he doesn't have such a bad attitude.
2007-10-06 21:09:36 · answer #4 · answered by GuardiAngel 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
One agent, a back agent, I am white, got defensive with Me. Saying what is in your bag and asked to search it. He is pulling out a sweater and a Jacket yelling at Me what is this. Asked Me
in a defensive voice where are you going and told in I'm going home. He said; and where is that.
Very defensive. I feel and I know down deep inside Me that this officer was racial profiling Me.
Most Officers are OK. I had only two abusive one's. Like someone said above when they put a uniform on they become abusive.
In the passed Custom Officers treated Me with dignity. These days it seems people Who cross boarders are treated like criminals. There is a sign in the crossing facility saying that all Who enter the US are treated with respect and dignity and are welcomed to the US. That is not true
2015-05-16 05:44:30 · answer #5 · answered by Jim 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give them a break the are fighting a losing battle.With 30 million illegals in this country and the number going up everyday they are lucky to still have a job!
2007-10-07 01:52:20 · answer #6 · answered by notagain49 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like they were just doing their job to me. No reason to get upset over it. You can't just expect them to let you pass without even being questioned. Besides your complaint will probably just end up in the trash.
2007-10-06 20:56:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
You were profiled because of your race. Racism is still strong in the 21st century, unfortunately. Next time, bring your US passport, green card, driver's license, etc.
2007-10-07 01:14:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
i have had the same situation living in a order town just get their names and badge number( do they have one?) and report them. also i have yelled at a few of them and apparently it works sometimes citizenship does have it's advantages
2007-10-06 20:58:42 · answer #9 · answered by j_v_garza 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
file a complaint
2007-10-06 20:56:46 · answer #10 · answered by midnitrondavu 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋