David, I am truly sorry about your border experience. Things have never been
the same since 9/11. Being relatively close to Canadian territory, ( the
maritime border in the middle of Lake Erie), I see many Canadian folks and
commerce pass through here on I90. I hope they didn't have an experience
similar to yours. Best wishes.Rich Palmer
On Sunday, August 20, 2017 11:48 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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