Us "customs And Border Protection" Service

[ChrisP]

Over the past few years the US Customs Service at Airports etc has now become the US "Customs and Border Protection Service." (not to be confused with the separate US Immigration & Naturalization Service).

This change has led - IMHO - to them becoming a cross between the FBI and the Morality Police.

I'm a US Citizen. The last 4 times I have returned to the USA from Thailand I have automatically been selected for a Customs Secondary Search, just based on the fact that I am a single man and I wrote "Thailand" in reply to the question "countries visited on this trip" on the Customs form. (I asked the agent why I was selected..)

I just got back to LAX again tonight... and this time went through something that I consider similar to a Police Interrogation.... some pretty invasive, aggressive, personal and irrelevant (for what they should be looking for) questions from the female Agent as she searched through all my personal belongings (and I do mean Personal) in all my bags, including viewing every picture on my camera.....

I have nothing to hide, and the Agent found nothing. But her attitude seemed to be that I must have something to hide.. having spent 9 weeks in Thailand with my bf.

I am still upset about it. It made me feel very unwelcome, returning to my home country... and I'm now left wondering why I should stay here, to get this attitude.....

Tomorrow, when I have calmed down, I will post a rough copy here of the Interrogation questions I received.

ChrisP

Mod.

[sbk]

File a formal complaint with the office. when I was detained by them in July (error in the computer regarding my passport) they gave me a form to fill out and mail in if I had any complaints.

[ovenman]

I'm a US Citizen. The last 4 times I have returned to the USA from Thailand I have automatically been selected for a Customs Secondary Search, just based on the fact that I am a single man and I wrote "Thailand" in reply to the question "countries visited on this trip" on the Customs form. (I asked the agent why I was selected..)

I don't think it's quite that simple, although I don't know what criteria that US Customs do actually use for their secondary searches. Some of the agents can be real jerks (immigrations included), simply having spent any time out of the United States is cause for suspicion in some of their minds. I honestly think they've become more professional overall post-9/11 but that's just my opinion. It could be that I'm just becoming too familiar with the process have passed through the border one time too many.

First few times I went to Thailand (in the early 90's), I was given the secondary search upon each return to the US, seemingly just because I uttered the magic word "Thailand". However, I've been living in Thailand for over seven years, return to the US several times per year, and I don't think I've had a secondary search since 1995 or so. I guess it's not as simple as "coming from Thailand". (Having said this I have probably just jinxed myself.)

I do agree with sbk, after you've had some time to reflect on the incident, file a formal complaint with them if you feel you've been unrightfully wronged.

[samran]

Coming back to Australia from extended periods of Thailand seems to give reason for Australian immigration to pull me aside as well.

The nice thing to remember is that as a citizen of your own home country, they have no power not to let you enter your own country. Knowing that fact relaxes me no end when dealing with these idiots. I always have knowing grin on my face when speaking to these guys, cause I know that what ever they do to try and scare and intimidate you, at the end of the day, they can do nothing.

[MyNameIsFarang]

Coming back to Australia from extended periods of Thailand seems to give reason for Australian immigration to pull me aside as well.

The nice thing to remember is that as a citizen of your own home country, they have no power not to let you enter your own country. Knowing that fact relaxes me no end when dealing with these idiots. I always have knowing grin on my face when speaking to these guys, cause I know that what ever they do to try and scare and intimidate you, at the end of the day, they can do nothing.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They do however have the legal power to shred your personal effects, confiscate things, incarcerate you temporarily, make you miss a connecting flight and stick a greased finger into your anus.

[Galong]

Over the past few years the US Customs Service at Airports etc has now become the US "Customs and Border Protection Service." (not to be confused with the separate US Immigration & Naturalization Service).

This change has led - IMHO - to them becoming a cross between the FBI and the Morality Police.

I'm a US Citizen. The last 4 times I have returned to the USA from Thailand I have automatically been selected for a Customs Secondary Search, just based on the fact that I am a single man and I wrote "Thailand" in reply to the question "countries visited on this trip" on the Customs form. (I asked the agent why I was selected..)

I just got back to LAX again tonight... and this time went through something that I consider similar to a Police Interrogation.... some pretty invasive, aggressive, personal and irrelevant (for what they should be looking for) questions from the female Agent as she searched through all my personal belongings (and I do mean Personal) in all my bags, including viewing every picture on my camera.....

I have nothing to hide, and the Agent found nothing.  But her attitude seemed to be that I must have something to hide.. having spent 9 weeks in Thailand with my bf.

I am still upset about it. It made me feel very unwelcome, returning to my home country... and I'm now left wondering why I should stay here, to get this attitude.....

Tomorrow, when I have calmed down,  I will post a rough copy here of the Interrogation questions I received.

ChrisP

Mod.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I get put in the "special" line every single time I go to visit my family. I've missed flights before because of this too.

I went back last year and the third time I was pulled out of line I asked the redneck, oops, I mean officer, why I am always pulled aside. His answer was that it had nothing to do with me, it's just a lottery. A lottery! Why the heck don't I ever win a real lottery.

By this point I was thoroughly angry, but I somehow managed to hold my tongue. The US government is incompetent at every level. If I really wanted to bring someting in to the US, I'm sure I could find a way... like changing my last name to Bin Laden.

You know what they say: America, love it or leave it....

[samran]

They do however have the legal power to shred your personal effects, confiscate things, incarcerate you temporarily, make you miss a connecting flight and stick a greased finger into your anus.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Luckily for me, I am pretty good at doing smelly farts on demand.

[khall64au]

I'm also a "lucky lottery winner" every single time I go back to Australia or visit the US. But never in any other country. I wonder why?

It makes me steaming mad every time. They make me feel like a cwiminal!

Edited September 13, 2005 by khall64au

[samran]

It's make me steaming mad every time. They make me feel like a cwiminal!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm sure Sheriff Elmer Fudd is on the case as we speak!

[samran]

Seriously though, I think that Australian immigration seem to have some red flag set for anyone who is single and returning from LOS after an extended period there.

Maybe me being married now will change all that.

[wimpy]

Seriously though, I think that Australian immigration seem to have some red flag set for anyone who is single and returning from LOS after an extended period there.

Maybe me being married now will change all that.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They ask your marital status?

[Heng]

1-2 times a year back stateside and never get a search. Just walk straight through. I usually only have one carry on as all my luggage and often am one of the first people through the lines. I guess they don't think smugglers try to be the first people through?

[samran]

Seriously though, I think that Australian immigration seem to have some red flag set for anyone who is single and returning from LOS after an extended period there.

Maybe me being married now will change all that.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They ask your marital status?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No, sorry should have been more clearer. I meant on their own. I'll most likely be travelling back with my wife, a kiwi, so with any luck, they'll ignore me and 'puck' on her...well he accent at least.

[khall64au]

Doesn't matter whether I'm travelling alone, with a friend or, on one occasion with a university group, they always call me "special". I have even tried all different styles of dress and that makes no difference either. Even friends that work for different law and govt agencies tell me I look nothing like a usual supect. And I'm a female!

[samran]

Doesn't matter whether I'm travelling alone, with a friend or, on one occasion with a university group, they always call me "special". I have even tried all different styles of dress and that makes no difference either. Even friends that work for different law and govt agencies tell me I look nothing like a usual supect. And I'm a female! 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They must just liking pulling over us good looking ones then.

[chuchok]

Doesn't matter whether I'm travelling alone, with a friend or, on one occasion with a university group, they always call me "special". I have even tried all different styles of dress and that makes no difference either. Even friends that work for different law and govt agencies tell me I look nothing like a usual supect. And I'm a female! 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As a pretty good guesstimate, IMO you are probably on a list. If Aussie Customs go through you bags every time, then that is too much of a coincidence...either that, or ypu fit the perfect description for a courier.You can actually complain and see what happens.When you do complain, make sure you get the Customs officers name and Badge number.once you do complain,be like a dog with a bone,don't let go untill you get a reasonalble answer.That includes seeing your local MP etc.

[Curt]

On well over a dozen flights, returning from Thailand, I been singled out for secondary just about a third the time.

Although it means a slight delay, I've never had a truama.

My worst security experience has been with Northwest Airlines Thai staff, doing a pre-boarding search. We would have missed the flight, except the entire flight was delayed because of these clowns.

Am I reading this correctly?

Why would you tell them you were visiting Thailand with you "bf" ?

With or without making any value judgements, agents might percieve you as being a "rule" breaker.

BTW

When asking why you were stopped, you're never going to get a straight answer.

They have their reasons; they aren't going to share them.

Sometimes it's destination and demographics.

Sometimes it's length of stay versus reason for trip.

Sometimes it's a full baggage limit and nothing claimed.

Sometimes they don't like your look.

Sometimes it's intuition.

Something sets you out from the herd.

It's rarely "random".

You could stop flying overseas.

You might get a helmet.

You can fill out a complaint form.

That will straighten them out.

And, most importantly, they will put you on that list of people not to mess with!

Paranoid now?!

[khall64au]

Paranoia set in a LONG time ago....

[jrincon17]

Over the past few years the US Customs Service at Airports etc has now become the US "Customs and Border Protection Service." (not to be confused with the separate US Immigration & Naturalization Service).

This change has led - IMHO - to them becoming a cross between the FBI and the Morality Police.

I'm a US Citizen. The last 4 times I have returned to the USA from Thailand I have automatically been selected for a Customs Secondary Search, just based on the fact that I am a single man and I wrote "Thailand" in reply to the question "countries visited on this trip" on the Customs form. (I asked the agent why I was selected..)

I just got back to LAX again tonight... and this time went through something that I consider similar to a Police Interrogation.... some pretty invasive, aggressive, personal and irrelevant (for what they should be looking for) questions from the female Agent as she searched through all my personal belongings (and I do mean Personal) in all my bags, including viewing every picture on my camera.....

I have nothing to hide, and the Agent found nothing.  But her attitude seemed to be that I must have something to hide.. having spent 9 weeks in Thailand with my bf.

I am still upset about it. It made me feel very unwelcome, returning to my home country... and I'm now left wondering why I should stay here, to get this attitude.....

Tomorrow, when I have calmed down,  I will post a rough copy here of the Interrogation questions I received.

ChrisP

Mod.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Me too as i came back , now i am black flagged every time i go to the airport . I spent 3 months there now each time i check in i am searched in the secondar line .

[sbk]

I fly back to the US every year, always about the same time every year too. Only time I ever got searched was going thru customs in Denver (right, like it's really an international airport!). I (knock on wood) have never been searched when going through the major west coast airports (LAX, SFO, SEA). I am a woman travelling alone with two large suitcases. Maybe I look too girly?

Only hassle was this year when somebody misentered my passport into the computer as being reported lost (I am sure that it happened last year when I went back but they wouldn't tell me when). The agents were very kind, but had to follow procedures (called DC to confirm my passport was ok) allowed me to use their phone to call my parents long distance, twice. No charge. Contacted United to let them know what had happened to me, once my passport was confirmed ok (not lost, just an error in the computer) the United personnel whisked me through Customs (no search at all) and popped me on the next plane. All in all they were very kind to me, but did have to follow the rules.

I can't say I had any complaints at all but the guy did give me a form to fill out and asked me to make sure and mail it in if I had any complaints about my treatment.

[Old Croc]

Seriously though, I think that Australian immigration seem to have some red flag set for anyone who is single and returning from LOS after an extended period there.

Maybe me being married now will change all that.

They ask your marital status?

No, sorry should have been more clearer. I meant on their own. I'll most likely be travelling back with my wife, a kiwi, so with any luck, they'll ignore me and 'puck' on her...well he accent at least.

Seriously mate. I think you are confusing Immigration with Customs

[sbk]

Actually, immigration will usually mark your customs declaration form when they think you should be searched (this is what happened to me the one and only time I was searched)

[samran]

Seriously though, I think that Australian immigration seem to have some red flag set for anyone who is single and returning from LOS after an extended period there.

Maybe me being married now will change all that.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They ask your marital status?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No, sorry should have been more clearer. I meant on their own. I'll most likely be travelling back with my wife, a kiwi, so with any luck, they'll ignore me and 'puck' on her...well he accent at least.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Seriously mate. I think you are confusing Immigration with Customs

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You know, you could be right (even though I do know the difference between the two!!). Thing is if I get pulled up, it is always right after my passport goes through the zapper, when someone strolls over, checks vigourously to see if my PP is a fake and then asks me lengthy innane questions about my life in Thailand. So I assume that it is immigration.

Eg. Where where you born? Where did you go to school? What is the purpose of your visit? What do you do in Thailand? Why do you live there?

The customs blokes down in the hall don't tend to approach unless they have one of those little dogs to smell my backpack. They also strike me as being a bit more intelligent.

[Old Croc]

Seriously though, I think that Australian immigration seem to have some red flag set for anyone who is single and returning from LOS after an extended period there.

Maybe me being married now will change all that.

They ask your marital status?

No, sorry should have been more clearer. I meant on their own. I'll most likely be travelling back with my wife, a kiwi, so with any luck, they'll ignore me and 'puck' on her...well he accent at least.

Seriously mate. I think you are confusing Immigration with Customs

You know, you could be right (even though I do know the difference between the two!!). Thing is if I get pulled up, it is always right after my passport goes through the zapper, when someone strolls over, checks vigourously to see if my PP is a fake and then asks me lengthy innane questions about my life in Thailand. So I assume that it is immigration.

Eg. Where where you born? Where did you go to school? What is the purpose of your visit? What do you do in Thailand? Why do you live there?

The customs blokes down in the hall don't tend to approach unless they have one of those little dogs to smell my backpack. They also strike me as being a bit more intelligent.

The guy sitting in the first booth is Customs. He stamps your passport (on behalf of immigration) and checks the passenger card for customs and quarantine questions and refers people of interest to the guys further on. An Oz citizen will probably never come in contact with an immigration person

[samran]

Thanks for clearing that up then.....

[Old Croc]

Thanks for clearing that up then.....

Further to that, there are people scanning faces (and bodies) as you stand in line. They may approach, look at your passport , ask a few silly questions and then later on stick that greased finger up your arse. It all depends on how they assess your looks and demeanor.

[khall64au]

That explains everything... I stand in line looking like "god here I go again... I just bet they give me a hard time". It's written all over my face!!!

[chuchok]

That explains everything... I stand in line looking like "god here I go again... I just bet they give me a hard time". It's written all over my face!!! 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You are also on camera from the time you leave the Aircraft.A couple of mates of mine that used to work in customs always tried to focus on the ladies with the big knockers.... ...that and Swedish backpackers that may not have had somewhere to stay.

[TokyoT]

Born and raised in the US - moved to Asia several years ago.

I lived in Asia for almost five years before traveling to Thailand. Over all of that time I was never pulled aside for a secondary inspection. But the first year I traveled to Thailand, and every trip since I have been pulled aside for a secondary inspection.

Personally I no problem with this what so ever – I have nothing to hind. I could care less who looks thru what as I re-enter the country each time. It is a dangerous world out there and if the US decides they want to strip search or even x-ray everyone that enters the country that would be fine with me.

[The Coder]

I get searched most of the time at LAX. Sometimes I am hit by the lady standing just outside the door of the plane, sometimes where they divide you into the search queues, and once as I was walking out the final checkpoint. I dress casual conservative is about the only consistent thing I can say about myself; other things didn't impact it like type and number of bags, alone/with others, or countries visited. I am legal everytime so the search finds nothing. I used to feel like some others expressed; fairly humiliated at the kind of welcome I get by my own country. I did one time finally ask for the manager and after a conference of about 4 officials getting nowhere filled out a complaint form that their selection process was a waste of my time as well as theirs and they should thus review it, but did not receive a response. Now I just don't let it bother me. It doesn't take too long and it isn't destructive and I just put up with them and move on.

It definitely is not a lottery system and it definitely has nothing to do with coming from Thailand (as everyone else on the plane is coming from the same place). Last I heard is they look for around 18 characteristics to make a selection. I think what probably gets me is nervousness. My body is pretty messed up with the time shifting and I'm concentrating on not missing any steps to make my next phase of the journey. Another red flag is licking your lips, which I often due after all the dry air. I use chapstick now but that actually might put me in under yet higher suspicion if they can notice that; who knows. It's not like they are going to publish what they look for.