US Border Agent Made Me Cry!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Revenesque - I'm sorry you had this experience. Definitely file a complaint, but don't be surprised if nothing comes of it. What might make something come of it more effectively is to have your husband send a copy of the complaint to his Congressman or Senator at the same time - and make sure the Border authority is aware that the Congressman's office has been copied. This way you might get the courtesy of a response otherwise you will probably hear nothing further at all.

While the border guard has every right to do his job and try to keep the US safe (especially from the terrible single-handed invasion of a pregnant visitor from Canada who is in the process of immigrating legally!), he should be using good judgment and common sense in the process - and he used neither. He was definitely power tripping and trying to build up his sense of importance and ego at the expense of what he saw as an 'easy mark ' - a pregnant woman. The man is simply a bully - they look for those they think will be easy to intimidate and go after them whether there is any justification for it or not. The other side of that is that they won't go after someone who may be a really serious threat because they run the risk of being not able to handle the situation or not willing to get themselves in danger. Bullies are really cowards at heart - and I think these are some of the points you might want to make. Bullies abuse power and while he was giving you the 3rd degree - and getting more and more frustrated because his 'easy mark' turned out not to be so easy or uninformed - he was adding to the already bad reputation the US has for stupidity at the border. If there had been a serious problem, guaranteed this man would have somehow managed to be at the back of the line out of harm's way.

This man must exert a lot of wasted energy trying to protect the country from real terrorists by targeting girl guides trying to sell cookies, perhaps, or grandmothers going into the US for a day of shopping. I wonder how he is going to brag about this one to his friends and family - I bullied a US citizen's pregnant wife who was legally visiting the US today and made her cry - see how important I am?

[antda 13]

Revenesque - I'm sorry you had this experience. Definitely file a complaint, but don't be surprised if nothing comes of it. What might make something come of it more effectively is to have your husband send a copy of the complaint to his Congressman or Senator at the same time - and make sure the Border authority is aware that the Congressman's office has been copied. This way you might get the courtesy of a response otherwise you will probably hear nothing further at all.

While the border guard has every right to do his job and try to keep the US safe (especially from the terrible single-handed invasion of a pregnant visitor from Canada who is in the process of immigrating legally!), he should be using good judgment and common sense in the process - and he used neither. He was definitely power tripping and trying to build up his sense of importance and ego at the expense of what he saw as an 'easy mark ' - a pregnant woman. The man is simply a bully - they look for those they think will be easy to intimidate and go after them whether there is any justification for it or not. The other side of that is that they won't go after someone who may be a really serious threat because they run the risk of being not able to handle the situation or not willing to get themselves in danger. Bullies are really cowards at heart - and I think these are some of the points you might want to make. Bullies abuse power and while he was giving you the 3rd degree - and getting more and more frustrated because his 'easy mark' turned out not to be so easy or uninformed - he was adding to the already bad reputation the US has for stupidity at the border. If there had been a serious problem, guaranteed this man would have somehow managed to be at the back of the line out of harm's way.

This man must exert a lot of wasted energy trying to protect the country from real terrorists by targeting girl guides trying to sell cookies, perhaps, or grandmothers going into the US for a day of shopping. I wonder how he is going to brag about this one to his friends and family - I bullied a US citizen's pregnant wife who was legally visiting the US today and made her cry - see how important I am?

I agree, Kathryn41!

The border guard in this situation was a bully....

Power-hungry, indeed!

Lol...Funny, how they think that pregnant women are "terrorists"......

I guess they are intimidated when they are confronted with two lives, instead of just one........And yeah, those babies can really kick!....

Really, can a pregnant woman and an unborn baby pose a "national security threat" to the USA?

What an awful way to treat would be future US Citizens!

No wonder the "real terrorists" get away and there is still a problem with immigration! Scary, indeed....

Ant

Edited June 6, 2010 by Ant+D+BabyA

[FireKari 4]

Wow, you were very calm.

See if that were me, one of two things would have happened.

1- i would have started holding my stomach and crying GET ME A DOCTOR and blaming him for the stress.

2- stood up, walked into their main office and asked to speak to a supervisor ASAP and clearly stated that he was upsetting a very pregnant woman with stupid questions and outright saying untrue things etc etc etc

What a bunch of BS that you had to go through. =(

[Missa 0]

wow. just wow. you think he would have been a tad more sensitive given the fact that you're so pregnant.

[Krikit 1,165]

Wow, Reven. As soon as I read the title of your thread I thought "He made Reven cry? What the? Where is he? Let me at him!" Once I read your post I thought it must be the same guy who did my NEXUS interview. He was such an @ss. Canadian guy, though. The US officer actually came over and helped me out (bless her heart) because he was being such a jerk. He actually accused me of having a PR card but living in Canada. I can't even think of a reason why one would do that. Told me that he was going to look into it and that if he found out I was doing that I'd be in big trouble. No guff. He also accused me of fraudulently holding a Canadian passport. What an idiot.

Anyway, I'm sorry this happened to you, Reven. It's unfair and unjust. (((((((((Big hug))))))))

[Tater&Bugger 3]

I would complain. 100%. It's one thing to have valid questions, which at times can feel intrusive, however it's another to play this sort of mind game with a pregnant woman. I mean, if you were crossing illegally, wouldn't you of done it much sooner? He was probably more upset and taking it out on you because he had troubles finding things on his monitor or something. Thus making him look stupid. In your complaint I would just be polite, not accusing. Obviously this guy was missing something and took it out on you.

[Advanced Aardvark 82]

#######?! I called hubby right after and bawled my eyes out. The guard called me a liar three times and made me feel like an illegal alien!...and a 6-month pregnant terrorist! Hubby was SOOO pissed, thinks that the Guard was just power tripping and wanted to call US Customs to complain. I told him let's not make the situation any worse.

VJers, what's your analysis of this exchange?

Have your hubby write a complaint letter to Homeland Security with a copy to his Congressman. A CC to one of your Senators would not hurt. If you have the badge number and name of the offensive individual, it would help.

I would probably mention in the letter that the personality and demeanor of the Border Guard makes him better suited for back office duties, or night security at WalMart.

[Darnell 8,479]

Oh my - I just thought of something else? An Easy Mark ? EEEEEEK.

I think you got pegged because you 'appear to be' pregnant, and

THE FEAR

is that yer coming into the USA, to make an 'anchor baby' - so

you got extra-ordinary scrutiny. I do mean 'extra-ordinary'.

That CBP human was uber douchey. Complain, IMO, until you get an apology.

[Advanced Aardvark 82]

Oh my - I just thought of something else? An Easy Mark ? EEEEEEK.

I think you got pegged because you 'appear to be' pregnant, and

THE FEAR

is that yer coming into the USA, to make an 'anchor baby' - so

you got extra-ordinary scrutiny. I do mean 'extra-ordinary'.

That CBP human was uber douchey. Complain, IMO, until you get an apology.

he he he... 'uber douchy'... Nice turn of phrase. I'm going to file that one away for future reference.

[yogib37 3]

Almost 5 years of crossing the US borders with little hassle, yesterday was my first bad experience at the border in Vancouver Via Rail Station (I was boarding Amtrak to Seattle.) The first border guard recognized me as she processed me last time and referred me to another border guard for questioning. Here's how the conversation went:

Border Guard: Where are you going?

Me: Seattle

Guard: How long will you be staying?

Me: Three days. I'm returning on Monday.

Guard: What do you do for work?

Me: XXXX, at XXXX.

Guard: Do you have a business card?

Me: Yes (gives him my business card)

Guard: What's the reason for your visit?

Me: Visiting my husband, who is a US citizen.

Guard: How long have you've been married?

Me: Three years come this August.

Guard: Are you planning to move to the US?

Me: Yes. I have a visa case in process.

Guard: Do you know that while your case is processing, you must remain in Canada or if you are in the US, you cannot leave until it's completed?

Me: No, I'm not aware of such restrictions. Just to clarify, I've applied for the CR-1 Visa.

Guard, starting to get irritated: It doesn't matter what visa it is, you cannot enter the US until the process is completed.

Me: I'm not understanding what you mean by process being completed. I already had the interview with US Embassy in Montreal and they are holding back from issuing the visa because I am not ready immigrate (due to my pregnancy) so technically, I have not been approved nor issued a visa. They told me when I am ready to immigrate after my baby's birth, I'm to send them my passport for visa issuance. As of now, I don't have a visa to immigrate.

Guard: If your husband had file a petition for you, you cannot enter the US. What is your NVC #?

Me: I don't have that information on me. If it's OK with you, I can call my husband to get that information.

Guard: I'm going to look in our system to see if you have a file with Immigration. (Looks up in his computer with my name, didn't find what he was looking for, so asks for hubby's name and phone number. At this point, I'm getting upset because it sounds like I'm about to be turn away from the border.)

Guard: You're lucky this time--there's no file of any petition on the system. (I'm thinking #######?!)

Guard: Do you have a Nexus card?

Me: Yes

Guard: May I see it. (I give him my Nexus card.)

Guard: (Looks over at the card) I see you had this card since September 2009.

Me: I'm sure I've had it much longer than that.

Guard: Is this your second card?

Me: No, it's my first. I believe it renews every 5 years.

Guard: Yes. So if this is your second card, you must have had your Nexus card since 2004.

Me: No, I didn't. I've had it for about 2-3 years I think.

Guard: Don't lie to me!

Me: No, I'm not. I don't recall the exact date I got it, but I know I didn't just get it last year. This card was re-issued because they've made security improvements to the Nexus cards and reissued new ones to all Nexus card holders. So that card was issued in Sept 2009, but I've had it before that.

Guard: What was the reason why you applied for the Nexus card?

Me: I was crossing the border regularly so I applied for it.

Guard: What reason did you give your Nexus Officer for getting thhe Nexus card?

Me: I don't recall being asked that question during the interview. I applied for it online, was approved, called in for the interview, which was a discussion on its terms and use, got the card and that was it.

Guard: I worked at the Nexus Office--I KNOW we ask you why you apply for it!

Me: (#######?!) It's been about 2-3 years since that interview. I don't remember if they had asked me that question.

Guard: We always ask the reason for applying for it.

Me: (Visibly upset ut still calm) If they had asked me that question, I would have said something like I'm visiting my boyfriend or something. But I'm telling you I was not asked that question.

Guard: Don't lie to me! I used to work at the Nexus Office. (looks up the computer some more.) OK, I see it was issued in May 2008. Hmmm...there's no notes.

Guard: You were married then, why did you tell them that you were visiting you boyfriend?

Me: (#######?! That was a rhetorical answer!) Sir, it's been quite some time since the (Nexus) interview and I'm not good with remembering dates. I don't remember what my responses at the interview were.

Guard: I'm going to contact the Nexus Officer who interviewed you, and if I find that you are lying, we will confiscate your Nexus card and you will not be allowed to enter the US.

(By now, they closed the gate, the train personel were waiting for me, and I was the last one at the US customs border.)

Me: (About to cry) So what's the next step? Am I allowed to enter the US now or not?

Guard: (hands me back my Nexus card and passport) This time I'll let you in but I'll be checking in with your Nexus Officer.

Me: Thanks.

#######?! I called hubby right after and bawled my eyes out. The guard called me a liar three times and made me feel like an illegal alien!...and a 6-month pregnant terrorist! Hubby was SOOO pissed, thinks that the Guard was just power tripping and wanted to call US Customs to complain. I told him let's not make the situation any worse.

VJers, what's your analysis of this exchange?

yes I agree with your Husband, he is power tripping, Give someone a badge and they think they are so much high and mighty

Just be cool about it and when you give birth then you can come here and not worry.

Yogi

[Autumnchik 6]

Reven, so sorry that happened. I agree with everyone else, definitely file a complaint.

My husband (then fiance) was denied entry once, ultimately for lack of ties (we had no clue then to bring a letter of employment, etc.). However, what I find interesting in your post was that the border guard who denied Ron claimed that he was not allowed to visit the U.S while we had a K-1 petition on file ... and your border guard said the same thing. I hate that they have this erroneous information.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I am so sorry this happened to you and that somebody pi$$ed in his cornflakes that day.

Including copies of your complaint (from USC hubster) to both his representative and US Customs is a good idea too...unbelievable that he was so misinformed and then proceeded to be such a jerk on top of it.

Can you imagine if there was a language barrier of any kind, how hard it would have been on to of everything else? I can see why people are terrified.

[Married2009 32]

I am sorry you were put thru this. I would have you husband file a complaint, and copy his congressman. It is election year for some officials . . . make waves.

[Kimbear 53]

OH just wow.. (((((((HUGS))))))) I'm so so sorry this happend to you. What a complete douche. I hope you and the baby are ok and the stress didn't harm you both. What a complete a$$. Definately get a letter written up as the others have said and cc everyone you can. They really need to do something about the jerks they hire. I know they want ppl who are harder etc, to better scrutinize, but this is outright uncalled for. Someone needs a slap upside the head....I woulda punched the guy if it were me..

[Moosker 7]

I have a friend that works at the border and you're totally allowed to file a complaint against them. I would in a heartbeat!