Ride a bus and get harrassed by Border Patrol

[mainer]

Couldn't believe it! A U.S. citizen riding a bus from BOSTON TO PORTLAND is ordered by Border Patrol to show her passport. Apparently a driver's license not good enough anymore for interstate travel.

This country has gone nuts.

-----------------


From: Portland Press Herald
column by: Bill Nemitz

"Their boss insists that they're not trying to act like jerks. It's just that the border patrol agents who descended on Portland last weekend are new to Maine and, this being the dead of winter and all, they apparently can't help themselves.

"A lot of our agents are just off the southern (U.S.) border and there's a different atmosphere down there," said Monte J. Bennett, assistant chief patrol agent for the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection in Houlton. "There are a lot more numbers down there. Things are more aggressive."

In other words, if you're an immigrant in Maine these days, you'd best double-check your papers before you go anywhere and learn to say "Yes, sir" and "No, sir" to anyone in a black uniform and boots. And oh yes, try not to look suspicious.

(snip)

Bennett insisted that the operation targeted only Portland's "transportation hubs," not its immigrant enclaves. He added, however, that the agents will investigate anything "that needs investigating."

(snip)

(Lest we all think the agents' attitudes began and ended with immigrants, consider my daughter's welcome Saturday upon arriving in Portland by bus from Boston: After she gave a border agent her license, he demanded her passport. She correctly told him that U.S. citizens don't need passports for interstate travel. "Let me give you a word of advice," he replied tersely. "You need to learn to watch your mouth.")




http://www.pressherald.com/news/nemitz/040130aliens.shtml

[baldguy]

1. NOBODY should feel the need to fear law enforcement.

But, this is what George W Bush has done to America.

[BiggJawn]

8. And some people trashed me the other week for my thread...

..where I described the negative feelings I got from seeing local cops in their black "Tactical Gear" cruising the grocery store....

Yeah, I'm nuts, alright....
NOT.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

2. "And let me give you a word of advice"

"give me your card and your badge number piggy, you better start looking for another job."

[BiggJawn]

7. I'd say that only if I was tired of my teeth.

Yeah, he loses his job, but I gum my sushi for the rest of my life...

[DUreader]

3. Do you have contact info for Portland

chamber of commerce and Mayor's office?


I want to let them know that I will not be coming to Portland this

summer if action is not immediately taken to correct this abusive behavior.

[DUreader]

4. here's some

Mid-Maine Chamber Of
Commerce
One Post Office Square
P.O. Box 142
Waterville, ME 04903-0142
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]


mailto:[e-mail]

[DUreader]

6. Mayor and city council

http://www.ci.portland.me.us/citycou.htm


Nathan H. Smith
212 Capisic Street
Portland, Me 04102
773-6933
Mayo

mailto:[e-mail]

[Bozola]

5. Well in their defense....

She could have been one of THOSE people...you know a...New Brunswickie....or worse....a...*gasp*...lib'rul.

She couldn't be a honest, gawd-fearin', red-blooded, card carryin' Repuglikan if she was takin' the bus could she? She's in Amuurrrikah and duzn't have a SUV?!? Very unpatriotic, if'n you ask me, and down right suspicious, too!

[dmr]

9. Sounds like Nazi occupation

Nasir Ahmed was behind the counter at Amei Halaal Market on St. John Street when agents walked in and told everyone, employees and customers alike, to get out their passports and green cards.