David,
I am simply appalled. May I apologize for the Homeland Security/Immigration
screw up?
You and Rose are always welcome in my USA and I hope you will join us often.
Bill
On Aug 20, 2017, at 8:47 PM, David Young <dsy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Greetings from Sheridan, Wyoming.
I had an interesting "Welcome" to the USA, yesterday.
We arrived at the border crossing, just before noon, and I handed our
passports to the officer with a cheery 'Good Morning!'
I had expected the usual questions... "How long will you be in the United
States?" and "What is the purpose of your trip?"
Instead, we both received loud, sharp instructions to place our hands on the
dash, followed by permission for me to "slowly use my right hand to release
my seat belt and then get out of the car, keeping my hands where he could see
them at all times." Once outside the vehicle, I was instructed to put my
hands behind my back and walk backwards, to the rear of the car. There I was
met by 4 armed guards, who handcuffed me and demanded to know if I had any
firearms. I said, Òf course not, I`m a Canadian.``
As they marched me to the building, I could see Rose being escorted, though
not handcuffed, to the building, as well.
I was taken through the main lobby, into a "secure interrogation" area, and
from there to a holding cell. The officers were firm, but civil as they did
what they felt they had to, and I was not physically abused in any way. I
was, however, very surprised and quite concerned for the safety of us both.
The holding cell was roughly 7 x 10 feet and quite empty, other than a hard
wooden bench with two large rings, securely attached, where someone could be
handcuffed or shackled to the bench.
In the cell, they had me spread my legs, with the toes pointing outward, in
preparation for a thorough search of my person, when a female border officer
came running up to them saying "It's not a match! It's NOT a match!"
With that, they became much more courteous, saying, "Well, lets get these
things off you ..."
I was taken back to the secure interrogation area, where I sat, with Rose,
"on the Group 'W' bench", while they sorted things out. It was, apparently a
case of mistaken identity. The lady officer explained that they'd figured out
where their system went wrong, and that they would fix it, though that might
take a bit of time. Meanwhile, I had to file a rather complete statement as
to who I was. They went through the car, took the contents of my pockets (but
not my watch) and rifled through Rose's purse, before they were satisfied
that I was who I said I was. Curiously, when they took my wallet, they
insisted I keep the cash. I presume so I could not say they stole any.
After a wee bit more than an hour, my wallet and the other contents of my
pockets, along with Rose's purse were returned to us, along with our
passports and we were told we could go. Nobody apologized. And, I never did
find out what it was that was "not a match".
I asked the officer what this might be all about, but he declined to say,
other than to offer that they'd "fixed" the problem, and that as long as I
had the same travel documents, I should be OK ... but not to be surprised if
it should happen again! Nice.
But it does not really make me want to rush back here!
I hope your eclipse watching goes much more smoothly!
David.
--
*David Young* - /Photographer/
Logan Lake, BC, CANADA
*Web:* /FURnFEATHER.ca/
*Gallery:* /Creative Co. Merrit, BC./
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