I'm a dual U.S.-Canadian citizen (born & raised in the U.S., Canadian
parent) living in Canada. Due to family obligations (an ailing, elderly
mother), I find it necessary to cross the border into Michigan on a
weekly basis. While I had my Michigan license and Michigan car, I had
no problem, but since changing my license over and getting a Canadian
car, I've had repeated problems on the U.S. side (never the Canadian).
They all started when a Homeland Security officer at the booth
(Detroit-Windsor Tunnel) asked a number of questions (are you a dual
citizen?, where do you live?, where do you work?, how often do you
cross the border?) and entered it all in the computer. Since then, each
time my U.S. passport number is entered and the agent reads what the
first agent wrote, he rings a buzzer, puts a card on my windshield, and
I'm sent inside while my car is searched. Usually, nothing much happens
inside...an agent takes my passport, looks at the computer, enters
something, and says I can go. One time, though, I was taken into a
small room, surrounded by four agents, told to empty my pockets and
give the agent my wallet. He questioned me about every item in my
wallet and took all the Canadian ID (driver's license, health card,
citizenship card, bank card) away to copy it. He also asked whether I
was married, and if so, to a female or male. (I happen to be in a
same-. relationship, so assume that info went into the computer too.)
After he discussed me with a colleague, he returned my belongings and
said I could go. I asked him why I was put thru all that and he said it
was just "routine". Since, then I've been sent inside numerous times
and each time their search reveals nothing, but each time they enter
more in the computer. I've asked what they want to know and how I can
avoid these repeated inside visits, but I'm just told that they have
the right to stop me whenever they like and don't have to have a
reason, and the only way to avoid it is to not cross the border! This
questioning is not only bothersome but also frightening. In case you're
wondering whether I'm Middle-Eastern, Muslim, etc., the answer is no.
I'm a middle-aged American/Canadian of European descent and can think
of no reason for their suspicions, other than anti-gay harassment. The
question that really got me was "where are you going?", to which I
answered "to visit my sick mother", to which he replied "why?"! How
does one answer such a question?
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