U.S. border agents inspecting more travelers heading into Canada

[Newsjock]

Source: Bellingham Herald

Thanks to the increase in border staffing meant to handle the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, B.C., U.S. Customs and Border Protection is conducting more inspections of northbound travelers as they leave the country.

... Some see such inspections as one more hassle that discourages cross-border trade and tourism.

"This is part of the ongoing militarization of the northern border," said Bellingham immigration attorney Greg Boos, who crosses the border almost every day. "I think it points out that perhaps CBP has too much staff at the border."

... On April 20, unpredictability went too far, Boos said. On that day at the Peace Arch, outbound inspections were conducted by shotgun-toting officers.

Duncan Millar, another immigration attorney, said he saw a similar display of shotguns the same evening at the Pacific Highway crossing.

... But the added outbound security may have some indirect economic costs if it further discourages cross-border trade and tourism, long a mainstay of Whatcom County's economy. Millar said many of his Canadian clients are now crossing the border as little as possible.
"I've had some of them say, 'Forget it. I don't want to deal with it,'" Millar said.

Read more: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2010/04/30/1409273/us-inspecting-more-travelers-heading.html

[pinto]

1. This used to be one of the most open borders in the world. We routinely

drove up to Montreal for a weekend, just on a whim. No problem, either way.

How things change.

[sharp_stick]

2. We still do

I cross that border several times a year and have never seen outbound inspections. I have no idea what they hope to prove with this.

[pinto]

8. Maybe there was something going on and this was extraordinary?

:shrug:

[Oregone]

3. Ive never seen any US inspection on northbound people

They don't have enough people working the south bound traffic

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

4. "The Land of the Free and Home of the Brave..."

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[sharp_stick]

5. No Shit

how much longer can people pretend?

[earth mom]

7. You said it. nt

[ixion]

6. Exactly.

[AsahinaKimi]

11. Is that before or after Republicans demand

We build THE GREAT WALL around this nation? I bet they have sent someone to China to get specs on it.

[ZeitgeistObserver]

9. 'the longest undefended border in the world'

was what it used to be called, and everyone seemed very proud of it. Not anymore I guess.

[Nay]

10. Damn, we've been back and forth a dozen times up until last year and

never ran into this outrage. What could possibly be the point? Other than the usual asshole cop-in-your-face bullshit?

[old mark]

12. Say, do you think the Canadians have WMD?.......nt

[zorahopkins]

13. Out-Bound Inspections? Really?

I have been to Canada a number of times, and have never had to go through an inspection when leaving the US.

This notion of an "outbound" inspection by the US Govt. is VERY troubling.

[Berry Cool]

14. Oh, it happened to me years ago. It's not so common if you drive up

but if you're on a bus or a train, they're very careful. But even then it's usually not a big deal; they ask your citizenship, look at your proof of it, ask where you're planning to go and for how long and why, and whether you're bringing in any gifts, alcohol, guns or tobacco; then they send you on your way.

I did have one Canadian border inspector ask to see my money I had brought with me. I can only conclude that on that particular day, they were looking for a US citizen on the run who resembled me physically. It was the only time anyone asked to see my money.

It's on the trip back into the US that one usually gets the real grill when on a train or bus. You'll be asked to prove citizenship, how long you were away, why, whether you purchased anything, and then have your bags inspected physically. They also send a dog onto the train or bus to sniff the whole thing, baggage holds included. Don't bring fruit to eat on the trip, because if you have leftovers they'll be confiscated and thrown away--even if it's a single orange.

[zorahopkins]

15. The Original Post Was About US Customs Agents

Each time I go to Canada -- whether by car, train, or airplane -- I expect to get asked questions by Canadian officials.

And I do.

The original post, however, was about American Customs Agents asking people leaving the US questions.

I have never had that happen to me.

And if it is now happening, I think it is just awful. Did that begin when Bush was President?