First experience entering with US passport

[edt370a 3]

Thought I should post this, simply because it is so frickin' ironic. In all my years of entering the US on various visa classifications and a green card, I never had any of my documents questioned for their authenticity. However, the first time I reenter MY own country as a US citizen with a beautiful new US passport, the CBP official stares at me with extreme hostility and suspicion and asks if this is a stolen passport. She actually proceeds to check it against various databases to see if it was reported lost or stolen. Finally she lets me through. I guess to her there is no way I can be a real American with my brown skin and different accent. Sigh. And I thought life would actually get easier once one became a citizen. BTW my spouse (who is a white European) never had these issues even though he too was recently naturalized and was carrying a brand new US passport. Go figure...

[Foreign Fantasy 52]

Thought I should post this, simply because it is so frickin' ironic. In all my years of entering the US on various visa classifications and a green card, I never had any of my documents questioned for their authenticity. However, the first time I reenter MY own country as a US citizen with a beautiful new US passport, the CBP official stares at me with extreme hostility and suspicion and asks if this is a stolen passport. She actually proceeds to check it against various databases to see if it was reported lost or stolen. Finally she lets me through. I guess to her there is no way I can be a real American with my brown skin and different accent. Sigh. And I thought life would actually get easier once one became a citizen. BTW my spouse (who is a white European) never had these issues even though he too was recently naturalized and was carrying a brand new US passport. Go figure...

Just brush it off of your shoulder. There isn't much you can do to change the situation. I usually avoid speaking in my native tongue in airports because it causes needless attention. As free as America is it isn't free of stereotyping.

[LionessDeon 2,060]

Enlight of recent events, I understand the need for the extra scrutiny and security. However, it could be done without the glares, hostility, and rude attitude.

[BigDaddy28 228]

Thought I should post this, simply because it is so frickin' ironic. In all my years of entering the US on various visa classifications and a green card, I never had any of my documents questioned for their authenticity. However, the first time I reenter MY own country as a US citizen with a beautiful new US passport, the CBP official stares at me with extreme hostility and suspicion and asks if this is a stolen passport. She actually proceeds to check it against various databases to see if it was reported lost or stolen. Finally she lets me through. I guess to her there is no way I can be a real American with my brown skin and different accent. Sigh. And I thought life would actually get easier once one became a citizen. BTW my spouse (who is a white European) never had these issues even though he too was recently naturalized and was carrying a brand new US passport. Go figure...

Lol my skin is lightly brown so I should expect them to look at me different loool. But you have to take in a way that they are protecting you and thus country. I mean last time I came into the US with a green card they kept on asking me when was the last time I went to Algeria I said in 2006 they said how far is it from your house I was like I don't know I cant remember it was long ago. All is to protect Americans.

[edt370a 3]

Good idea. I guess that way I can avoid getting a free colonoscopy every time I try to reenter my adopted country.

Funnily enough, when I used the same US passport to enter my destination country during this trip, I was welcomed in with a smile. They didn't racially profile me or question my American-ness. It's interesting how one can get so much more respect with that passport overseas as compared to here.

As a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you have the option of applying for 'Global Entry'. They will run background checks on you when you apply and if you're clean, you should be approved. If you have global entry, all you would have to do is check in Global Entry kiosks when you get off an international flight. No human interaction necessary.

Here's the link: http://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry

[TBoneTX 45,591]

CBP agents can be in a foul mood and be looking to nail somebody. If they give you more than one abusive comment, very calmly request that the Passenger Services Representative or the Port Director come out to meet you, with a blank complaint form.

[Moderator hat on]

Thread is moved from US Citizenship main forum to the Working & Traveling forum -- topic involves travel.

Edited December 14, 2015 by TBoneTX

[LionessDeon 2,060]

As a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you have the option of applying for 'Global Entry'. They will run background checks on you when you apply and if you're clean, you should be approved. If you have global entry, all you would have to do is check in Global Entry kiosks when you get off an international flight. No human interaction necessary.

Here's the link: http://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry

Very interesting! $100 fee, but for someone who travels alot it would be worth it. Great information.

[Operator 1,927]

One of the less advertised protected freedoms of US citizens is the 'Right to complain'. Seriously, If you feel like you were treated unfairly investigate a method of redress.

A CBP officers job is to scrutinize people crossing the border into the US, some do it with more veracity than others, if you truly feel that you were subjected to racial discrimination you should not let it go so easily.

[JRF 117]

As a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you have the option of applying for 'Global Entry'. They will run background checks on you when you apply and if you're clean, you should be approved. If you have global entry, all you would have to do is check in Global Entry kiosks when you get off an international flight. No human interaction necessary.

Here's the link: http://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry

Global entry is great...I love it. You are also enrolled in TSA pre-check. Worth the cost and hassle. You don't have to be a US citizen.

Edited December 15, 2015 by JRF

[almost_umrican 54]

Thought I should post this, simply because it is so frickin' ironic. In all my years of entering the US on various visa classifications and a green card, I never had any of my documents questioned for their authenticity. However, the first time I reenter MY own country as a US citizen with a beautiful new US passport, the CBP official stares at me with extreme hostility and suspicion and asks if this is a stolen passport. She actually proceeds to check it against various databases to see if it was reported lost or stolen. Finally she lets me through. I guess to her there is no way I can be a real American with my brown skin and different accent. Sigh. And I thought life would actually get easier once one became a citizen. BTW my spouse (who is a white European) never had these issues even though he too was recently naturalized and was carrying a brand new US passport. Go figure...

I am sorry to hear what happened to you. This is ridiculously rude. why did you not protest ? I had somewhat a similar experience once while i had a conditional gc. the officer looked at my pp and made fun of my picture. i protested , i asked him for his manager.believe me, that smart alec mellowed down and suddenly wanted to kiss my ###. i am non white but i never had any racial experience so far. i believe this is a great country and you find mean people everywhere. may be more in the countries where we were born. No wonder why we leave them. i am sorry but you should have protested. there is no way he can block you from entering if everything you have is legal.

Also, i am sorry to have used the 'word' you know what i mean. Thanks for encrypting it.

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

I believe OP did not protest this treatment and endured it because that's what some of us minorities do. We don't want to cause any problem with anybody so long as we can go on our business after the ordeal. Sometimes you are caught off guard or you are just shocked that it is happening to you at the moment.

But I applaud those who are able to calmly protest.

[TBoneTX 45,591]

Ten posts have been removed for being off-topic for this forum, for being assaultive, or both.

Further such posting behavior risks being banned from this thread, or worse.

TBoneTX

VJ Moderation

[almost_umrican 54]

Ten posts have been removed for being off-topic for this forum, for being assaultive, or both.

Further such posting behavior risks being banned from this thread, or worse.

TBoneTX

VJ Moderation

Thanks man, it was getting way out of control. people need to chill.

[edt370a 3]

I didn't protest because (1) I was generally exhausted after a long, super-uncomfortable journey, (2) I didn't want to risk missing my connecting flight home by delaying things further by asking for a supervisor etc., and (3) honestly I was shocked and terrified by the entire situation involving the armed, uniformed individual who was openly aggressing at me. I mean, what do you do if someone "in authority" insinuates that your passport is fake, other than to keep repeating timidly and respectfully that it is not? I guess if my name was John Smith and I spoke with a solid Midwestern accent, I would feel like I stood on more solid ground, if you know what I'm saying...

I believe OP did not protest this treatment and endured it because that's what some of us minorities do. We don't want to cause any problem with anybody so long as we can go on our business after the ordeal. Sometimes you are caught off guard or you are just shocked that it is happening to you at the moment.

But I applaud those who are able to calmly protest.

I am sorry to hear what happened to you. This is ridiculously rude. why did you not protest ? I had somewhat a similar experience once while i had a conditional gc. the officer looked at my pp and made fun of my picture. i protested , i asked him for his manager.believe me, that smart alec mellowed down and suddenly wanted to kiss my ###. i am non white but i never had any racial experience so far. i believe this is a great country and you find mean people everywhere. may be more in the countries where we were born. No wonder why we leave them. i am sorry but you should have protested. there is no way he can block you from entering if everything you have is legal.

Also, i am sorry to have used the 'word' you know what i mean. Thanks for encrypting it.

Edited December 15, 2015 by edt370a

[Dario2012 51]

I didn't protest because (1) I was generally exhausted after a long, super-uncomfortable journey, (2) I didn't want to risk missing my connecting flight home by delaying things further by asking for a supervisor etc., and (3) honestly I was shocked and terrified by the entire situation involving the armed, uniformed individual who was openly aggressing at me. I mean, what do you do if someone "in authority" insinuates that your passport is fake, other than to keep repeating timidly and respectfully that it is not? I guess if my name was John Smith and I spoke with a solid Midwestern accent, I would feel like I stood on more solid ground, if you know what I'm saying...

You did the right thing and you don't have to have a Midwestern accent to be treated with respect and professionalism. It's also good that you, yourself, weren't having too bad of a day to take a swing at the CBP idiot (verbally, of course )

But for every 100 agents, there are a few disgruntled, ugly-on-the-inside, unprofessional buffoons (they come in all races too). Brushing it off gets easier with practice.