> 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?
Please, please...
Document fully each and every incident, and communicate this to the
media, political representatives, and civil right interest groups on
both sides of the border.
The man who trades freedom for security does not deserve nor will he
ever receive either.
Benjamin Franklin
--
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