Is American border control too strict?

SugarHigh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTNjQ3n_7OM

To be honest I think the cop was dead right in this situation. The Canadian was being a smart ass and refusing to answer simple questions. Even if you think the question was stupid it doesn't you still answer it and not talk down to somebody who is just doing their job.

Arizona is also getting a lot of flack over it's new immigration laws.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704307804575234223663960104.html?mod=WSJ_latestheadlines

The Arizona law makes illegal immigration a crime in the state, and requires police to question people about their immigration status if officers suspect they are in the U.S. illegally but people worry this will lead to racial profiling which is another debate on whether racial profiling is ok but in Arizona most illegal immigrants are Hispanic so is it would hardly be a surprise if the cops targeted them more than anyone else.

Eliot Rosewater

The way I see it is this. The people of a particular country (in this case the States) have a set of formalities for foreign people entering their country, that they voluntarily create to let people in. They don't have to let anyone in! If Canadians are allowed to enter the US it's by the good grace of the US, not some God ordained right. Because they are letting you in I feel you should co-operate and just put up with their crap. Yes, the question "where do you plan to shop?" was a little stupid, but whatever. They're allowing you in to their country; give them something in return.


I have reason to believe that this video is the product of one of these anti-American types who will twist any story to suit their agenda. Firstly there's the title ("YOU MUST OBEY"). But also, note how he says "that police man has something against me". Why would he have something against you particularly; he's only known you a few minutes? I think the narrator went out of his way to create a situation where US officials would single him out, so that he could make this video, so that he could fuel his anti-American agenda.

SugarHigh

Eliot Rosewater wrote: »

the question "where do you plan to shop?" was a little stupid

I agree 100% with the rest of your post but I think it only sounds like a stupid question because we don't know it's purpose. Obviously the cop doesn't care where they are shopping he is just asking questions to judge how they react and they reacted badly so got searched and eventually arrested. It's really none of our business why they ask the questions they do.

Einhard

Agree with you for the most part Eliot. People on this side of the Atlantic seem to have a real issue with American immigration policy, when it's actually no worse, and often a lot better, than policies in Europe and elsewhere. The fact that the driver was actually pre-prepared to tape the encounter suggests that he wasn't exactly an innocent party either.

Eliot Rosewater

SugarHigh wrote: »

Obviously the cop doesn't care where they are shopping he is just asking questions to judge how they react and they reacted badly so got searched and eventually arrested.

Actually yes; point taken. Kind of like the "attitude test" one gets when when one is pulled over for running a red light.

Einhard wrote: »

The fact that the driver was actually pre-prepared to tape the encounter suggests that he wasn't exactly an innocent party either.

Yes, I suspect he had planned on getting arrested, so he could then post up his experiences online. It reflects quite poorly on him, though he has lots of support on YouTube (unsurprisingly).

Every time I pass through a border I just take a passive approach. I've had the boot searched a number of times. Once the guard mistook figs for hash!

looksee

I agree it is a bit strange that the Canadian was all set up to record this, not just something running in the car but a recorder on his person.

However unless the whole thing was totally set up - acted - the border guard was very quick to respond to what was a fairly innocent comment - its the kind of thing I would say, without any intention of being aggressive. Once the guard had triggered the situation it was downhill all the way. He could just as easily have said 'yes it does matter, and I am asking the questions'. It gives the impression that the guard has done Psychology 101, but not entirely understood it.

Carcharodon

That is hilarious, first cop was a total knob that lacked common sense and any human skills. The Canadian was a bit of a tool himself in all fairness, yea it is frustrating to be asked these stupid questions and go through this whole rigmarole but its the way of the world now.

We have these processes in place so as to give the public the belief that it prevents terrorism, drug trafficking, illegal immigration etc but in reality these things can only be contained to a certain extent, if someone wants to do something, they will always find a way.

Its the same as airport security, that has gone totally mental, just plays on peoples fears.

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

steelcityblues

A lot depends on whether the law enforcement officer and local boards is trustworthy and fairminded to different cases.

Some, like a fair proportion of immigrants, think they are above the law themselves!

This measure is at least better than stalling around for more years!

southsiderosie

As a US citizen, I've personally witnessed US immigration agents stationed within European airports treating EU citizens like ****, and it was embarrassing. Border agents have a right to ask people questions about where they are going and why, but they also have an obligation to be professional, especially since they are a representative of the state. If people have their papers in order, then agents should ask a few basic questions, look for any odd behavioral cues, and then let people go.

The guy who made this recording sounded like a tool, but if you deal with the public, then you will come across a few jerks every now and then. I don't like the attitude that so many law enforcement officials have that everyone they interact with needs to go all weak-kneed and trembly at the sight of a badge. Frankly if I were a Canadian, I'd be annoyed too - they are our biggest neighbor and trade partner, and cross-border shopping should not be cause for so much drama and posturing.

20Cent

The Border Guards behavior was not acceptable. Stuff like that puts people off visiting the US, experienced it a few times myself. The authorities would rather spend money on machines that can see your lad than train these guys properly.
They can do their jobs without being rude.

BluePlanet

The first Homeland Security guy was a complete idiot.
I love the part where one of them claims that he stops 3 terrorists from entering USA everyday.
:rolleyes:

It seems to me that USA don't particularly want people visiting their country.
I'm happy enough to oblige.