> 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?
Have you ever been convicted of a drug related offense? They can check
your conveyance, and person each and every time you cross or they can
let you go with only a couple questions. It's called inspection. They
don't have to tell you why you were selected for secondary. Once
someone crosses the border, they're subject to it.
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