Harsh welcome at Detroit border

**Goose** · September-02-11, 10:33 PM

my favorite story of crossing the boarder was when I was 14 and was crossing the boarder with a friend and his older brother who was 18 and we were driving a van....

while we were in line the older brother told us about the bung hole search...

well, we got pulled over and searched, taken into the customs office... all three of us sat there in stone silence, until one of the boarder agents called the older brother to come with him...

as he walked to the room with the agent, he turned back at us, shook his head, and rolled his eyes..... we instantly were on the floor laughing and crying....

yes..... he was off for the dreaded bung hole search......

we got turned back, they werent letting an 18 year old over with two minors.....

**faygoredpop** · September-04-11, 03:12 AM

I've also never had a problem getting into Canada. My dad has a cottage there and we are usually asked just a few questions and then we're on our way. It's always trying to get into the States that's the problem. Yesterday my sister and I were at the border around 10:30p and unfortunately it was shift change. They changed shifts quick, but the guy we had was asking so many questions it was unbelievable. The row next to us had 4 cars go through before 1 car went through in our lane. We got pissed. Then when we got up there, being very friendly, he asked "Where were we?" "How long were we there?" "What's the relationship of the driver to the passenger?" Then we were let go. Not bad on the questions.

One time when we were being asked questions, they wanted to know were we worked, why didn't we stay longer, and a few other odd questions. I don't know why some border patrol agents are quick with questions and some like to draw them out.

**Embee** · September-04-11, 05:53 PM

Yeah, crossing into the U.S., I'm always asked how much money I have on me, where I work, etc.

As a Canadian, crossing back into Canada is always a breeze. You rarely need to even show your passport and you just need to tell them how long you were gone and if you bought anything or not.

**Roq** · September-04-11, 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by Embee

Yeah, crossing into the U.S., I'm always asked how much money I have on me, where I work, etc.

As a Canadian, crossing back into Canada is always a breeze. You rarely need to even show your passport and you just need to tell them how long you were gone and if you bought anything or not.

My experience has been the complete opposite. I've breezed back over the Ambassador Bridge no problem at all, ever yet I've been hassled by Canadian customs entering Canada almost every time. "What meeting"? "Why do YOU have to attend"? "Why do you and your Mother have different last names"? and so and and so forth ad nauseum.

**Embee** · September-06-11, 08:36 PM

^ But are you American or Canadian? I could understand they'd ask those questions if you live in the U.S.

**Wesley Mouch** · September-07-11, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by Hermod

I have never had a difficult time with US immigration or customs folks while coming into the US through Detroit, Port Huron, Buffalo, New York City, Fort Lauderdale, San Francisco, or Los Angeles. ...

Likewise. Hundreds of border crossings, and perhaps two visits to secondary. And almost without exception, they are pollite and professional. Once in a while, you get an odd guard who asks odd questions. I answer, and have never had a problem.

From some of the comments, it seems that some people think that they are only supposed to check citizenship. Historically, customs was mostly economic. Collecting taxes on goods on import. Pre 9/11, customs was part of the Treasury Department, I believe. Regardless, they still have duties to protect US economic interests -- taxes, duty, jobs, and smuggling.

**marcwigle** · September-08-11, 08:05 AM

I visited Detroit in mid-August with my girlfriend and my young daughter. The guy at the booth asked for our passports, confirmed my license plate [[a cloudy cover makes it hard to read), and asked where we lived... then told us to "have a nice day". I have been across the border on a number of occasions [[usually 1-2 times per year) and haven't had a hard time getting across in years. I assume that they must have something in the system about each of us and check it as we cross. Maybe if my name first name was Abdul I would get a harder time but I have to say that border crossings are smooth and uneventful.

**canuck** · September-08-11, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by marcwigle

I visited Detroit in mid-August with my girlfriend and my young daughter. The guy at the booth asked for our passports, confirmed my license plate [[a cloudy cover makes it hard to read), and asked where we lived... then told us to "have a nice day". I have been across the border on a number of occasions [[usually 1-2 times per year) and haven't had a hard time getting across in years. I assume that they must have something in the system about each of us and check it as we cross. Maybe if my name first name was Abdul I would get a harder time but I have to say that border crossings are smooth and uneventful.

They definitely know more about us than we do. They know if you are a student or what your job is so you had better tell them the truth. Both countries share databases that will tell them all about the occupants of a car. The passports only solidify the process.

**marcwigle** · September-08-11, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by canuck

They definitely know more about us than we do. They know if you are a student or what your job is so you had better tell them the truth. Both countries share databases that will tell them all about the occupants of a car. The passports only solidify the process.

I ALWAYS tell the truth since I assume that they know more than they would let on but I was only asked one question... nothing about where we were going, how long we'd be in the US, etc. Not trying to be paranoid or a conspiracy theorist but I've often wondered if the cameras directed at our car was for lip-reading purposes or to give them an idea about how we *looked* prior to getting to the border guard. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if someone was having a look at us while we were waiting in line trying to figure out if we were discussing something amongst ourselves... like, "don't mention the 40 pounds of cocaine in the trunk". ;-)

**canuck** · December-29-11, 12:09 PM

I had to post this as a primer on how not to deal with border patrol ANYWHERE!

This is an audio of a canadian couple aggravating US border patrol officers from the get go.
Near the end of the audio at 6:20 the husband is ordering his wife to it down in the same way the officers did to him. Then the wife touches an officer and it gets worse from then on. I have to say hte guy is a total idiot, and the officer gives a good speech at the end telling the guy he is asking for trouble and getting it. In my opinion, you should just answer the questions sheepily and heed whatever orders officers mete out to you, bar none. I'm not saying these officers are always right or kind but they need to convey a certain authority. If they ask a question in a grave manner, maybe it means that you need to take this seriously and be ready to answer as precisely as you can.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_w9638Fjmw

**FlyingJ** · December-29-11, 12:37 PM

This thread will never die. As I've mentioned I've gotten grief from the Ontario Children's Choir masquerading as Canadian border guards[[reminded me of the border guys in "Stripes", written & directed by Canadians). It made me miss the guys who work Blaine, WA[[who funnily enough, catch far more badguys than Windsor) as for Ontario, the stupidest question I got was "Why didn't you just fly into Pearson?" My T-O/Hogtown friends advice when I complained "just go thru Niagara-they're friendly there"

**R8RBOB** · December-29-11, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by Carey

Returning by bridge from Toronto with a friend Sunday at 9 p.m., I was quizzed in depth by the uniformed guy in the booth, then told it was my "lucky day" -- I had been randomly selected for a secondary inspection.
I don't resent being pulled over. That happens, even if you are a law-abiding citizen in your late 50s with no criminal record, no terrorist leanings and no contraband of any sort. We even declared the chocolate Easter bunnies we had bought on W. Queen Street.
What was bothersome was the Third-World paramilitary vibe: The guns. The barked orders. The funky office. The overweight guy behind the counter telling you which way to look while you stood there, awaiting processing.
I've crossed the borders dozens of times over the decades, and lived in Canada. This was a jarring encounter that really brought home how arriving in Detroit in the post 9/11 era can be a highly unpleasant experience. I politely asked one of the guards who searched my car why I was randonly selected. "When you cross the international border you got to expect these things," he said. He wasn't smiling.
At least no one asked for bribes.

LOL, just reading this reminded me the last I went to Windsor before the new law kicked in. I went to Caesar Windsor and got my ass kicked. So, I returned via Moroun's bridge and as I got to the American side, I told them I was American blah, blah blah and dude wrote up one of those slips and had me drive to the inspection area. They pulled out the under-the-car mirrors, told me to open the truck and go inside. I go in and there are foreigners trying to get in the US and I'm bitching up a storm asking when can I leave. [[I'm American) They had me wait for about 15 minutes and I'm still pissed because I lost big at the casino and I just want to go home. Well they finally got to me and sent me on my way.

I know the feeling of being treated like a II even though you are American.

**Scottathew** · December-29-11, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by EastsideAl

I can understand the increased scrutiny, but it's the rudeness and ignorance that bothers me most.

I agree.

These folks are not friendly at all. I understand their job is very serious, but I've heard story after story from people I know about being randomly selected and being treated like a criminal.

One guy I knew, his name was a very generic Chris Davis, lighted up something in their records as having warrants for his arrest. He was detained at length, treated like a criminal, and when the ordeal was over and it was discovered that he was not a wanted felon and just a normal guy trying to cross the border he was offered no apology or thankfulness for his cooperation.

I've been pulled over twice by normal city cops, and in each instance the officers were very polite and did nothing but reciprocate the respect that I gave them.

**Gistok** · December-29-11, 01:40 PM

I know several people who have relatives in upstate New York. Rather than go thru the unpleasantries of driving across the border twice to get there via Windsor and Niagara... they now only go thru Ohio and Pennsylvania on their way to NY state... that's about 200 extra miles roundtrip!

It's so odd how "the Friendliest Border in the world" is now in Europe's EU... and the USA/Canada border has turned into a version of the Iron Curtain with Checkpoint Charlie's everywhere. Sad really...

**Brian1979** · December-29-11, 01:51 PM

I use to drive through Canada to get to New York, now I drive through Ohio and Pennsylvania. The hassle at the border is ridiculous and they ask questions that are really none of their damn business like how much money you have on you or how you are related to the people in the car and just a bunch of stupid nonsense.

They should ask for your citizenship, where you are traveling to and make sure that everyone in the car is ok to cross the border and your on your damn way, to sit there for 2 hours and have your car searched is bullshit. Too many people abuse their power it's the same thing with many cops. And what gets me is you can cross over into Canada with no problems, but it's coming back into your own country where they give you a hassle. It's mindboggling how these people act.

**Brian1979** · December-29-11, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by Gistok

I know several people who have relatives in upstate New York. Rather than go thru the unpleasantries of driving across the border twice to get there via Windsor and Niagara... they now only go thru Ohio and Pennsylvania on their way to NY state... that's about 200 extra miles roundtrip!

It's so odd how "the Friendliest Border in the world" is now in Europe's EU... and the USA/Canada border has turned into a version of the Iron Curtain with Checkpoint Charlie's everywhere. Sad really...

Yeah it's about 3 hours more to get to Buffalo from Detroit going through Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York rather than driving across Ontario to get there but it sure as heck is a lot nicer not having to deal with the assholes at the border crossings. If you were stopped at the border for 2 hours then those 3 extra hours to get from Detroit to Buffalo don't seem too bad.

**old guy** · December-29-11, 02:28 PM

I was coming back into the states once with my wife and son. A female officer at the border asked me where I was from. Without thinking, I told her the town and state I lived in. She went ballistic. She got down in my face and screamed, I'm asking you to declare what country you're from. I was kind of half laughing inside but also confused. I hesitated for a second wondering if I should say America, or the United States or both. I really didn't want to get it wrong. In just that couple of seconds she shouted, don't you know what country you're from? Get out of the car. As I was getting out and handing her my license, I said I was from the United States. She glanced at my license and told me to get back in the car. I did, and stared straight ahead. Then she screamed at me to get moving and I was off.

A couple of years later I was hiking up to Canada in the Boundary Waters Wilderness Area. We were portaging between two lakes and came to a border crossing. There was a little cabin along the path in the woods and an old couple sitting outside in rocking chairs. They told us it was the border and asked us if we wanted some coffee. We sat and talked with them for about a half hour and headed out. We came back through about a week later, six guys, huge backpacks, no search, no problems, just a hello. I've always wondered what that place is like now.

**Ronjm23** · December-30-11, 07:12 AM

I have crossed the border probably hundreds of times in my lifetime. I never had an issue with the Canadian officers. I never had an issue crossing into Detroit except in 1967 when I came across during the curfew during the riots. Even then it was, "Don't you know the city is in curfew?" Different story at the Buffalo crossing in 1969. Got ordered out of the car. They even combed the carpeting of the car looking for drugs. They were less than happy when they found nothing. Also crossing into Washington state from BC had a problem with the border guard and don't know why. It was early in the morning and the crossing gate was empty. I guess that she just wanted to hassle somebody and I was the "lucky" individual. I now have little need to cross the border but I would avoid it anyway that I could.

**Ray1936** · December-30-11, 01:15 PM

I think we should just build a wall all along the border. Gotta keep those foreigners with their funny language ooot, eh? And while at it, build it ten miles high to keep all that dang cold air on their side of the fence.

Two problems solved in one stroke.

**canuck** · December-30-11, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by Ray1936

I think we should just build a wall all along the border. Gotta keep those foreigners with their funny language ooot, eh? And while at it, build it ten miles high to keep all that dang cold air on their side of the fence.

Two problems solved in one stroke.

Fridgerator country, Okay eh? Ah Beauty!

**Wesley Mouch** · January-01-12, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by Brian1979

I use to drive through Canada to get to New York, now I drive through Ohio and Pennsylvania. The hassle at the border is ridiculous and they ask questions that are really none of their damn business like how much money you have on you or how you are related to the people in the car and just a bunch of stupid nonsense.

They should ask for your citizenship, where you are traveling to and make sure that everyone in the car is ok to cross the border and your on your damn way, to sit there for 2 hours and have your car searched is bullshit. Too many people abuse their power it's the same thing with many cops. And what gets me is you can cross over into Canada with no problems, but it's coming back into your own country where they give you a hassle. It's mindboggling how these people act.

How much money you are carrying is an important and legitimate question. Although now Homeland Security, customs is historically a commerce function. Its a big part of their job to protect the economy of the USA. Keeping out foreign goods [[except where legal and the other country reciprocates). Controlling international drug traffic. Legitimate question from any border officer.

**Gistok** · January-01-12, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by Wesley Mouch

How much money you are carrying is an important and legitimate question. Although now Homeland Security, customs is historically a commerce function. Its a big part of their job to protect the economy of the USA. Keeping out foreign goods [[except where legal and the other country reciprocates). Controlling international drug traffic. Legitimate question from any border officer.

Protecting the the economy of the USA?? Keeping out foreign goods??

Yeah... that's what they're doing... where the hell are they when China's dumping all its garbage at the Seattle, LA and San Diego ports? Where are they when India produced software comes to the USA unimpeded without any checking or duties whatsoever....

It's the little guy at the US border that gets shit on each time someone crosses... and the corporations get away scot free... with lame ass "trade treaties"....

Yeah... homeland security is doing their job alright... in a rude in your face manner. Keeping out drugs and terrorists is one thing... but the disrespecting of Americans at the borders is appalling....