Posted on 12/30/2004 2:08:16 PM PST by Marine Inspector
Carloads of Muslim New Yorkers, all U.S. citizens, were detained for hours by federal agents after they returned from an Islamic convention held in Toronto over the weekend. A Pace University student said she was asked by a border patrol officer at the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge crossing whether the wire in her bra was a weapon. A white Flushing resident said U.S. officials refused to tell her why she was being held for eight hours.
"It's just appalling," said Jean Tassi, 53. "If I didn't have on a head covering, I would have never been stopped."
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection official said agents acted on intelligence that conventioneers may have terrorists in their cars.
"We understand that most of these conferences are legitimate, but it is our duty, it is incumbent on us to verify the identity of everybody entering the U.S. - even citizens," said Kristi Clemens, a Washington spokeswoman. "I understand their frustration."
More than 30 people had attended "Reviving the Islamic Spirit" convention at the Skydome that was billed as a spiritually uplifting event.
"I refuse to be treated like this in my own country," said Miriam Soliman, 20, a Brooklyn-born finance major who said she was interrogated about her underwire bra.
I have no problem with that. We are already checked with picture ID, why not fingerprints?
I am an American, and I got finger printed when I joined the Air Force in 1967. I guess they violated my rights.
"Notice the Tag Lie. "
Is this another tossup to see how people respond or a typo ?
If you are in fact an officer, do you have the legal right to require photos and fingerprints from U.S. Citizens ?
Extra scrutiny and questioning is one thing, but fingerprinting and photographing US Citizens, because of race or religion, is a road I don't want to travel down.
Give me a break. That is just a buch of pc mumbo. Are you afraid of hurting their precious self esteem? You act like they're lyching them or something
LOL
Because I've worked the border for the past 7 years.
Prior to INS being rolled into DHS, fingerprinting a US Citizen was strictly forbidden.
We appear to be cross-posting ---
BTW - why do they sometimes ( not allways ) stamp my passport when I return ?
It seems to serve no purpose, but is wasting pages.
Read post #80, to you.
That's as it should be...and their records had better have been checked too. The same thing can happen to any of us.
No, you signed your rights away, when you signed the enlistment contract.
This is an entirely different situation.
Islam is a terrorist organization so if they attended a rally they are and should be immediately suspected of being terrorists.
When Islam quits blowing up stuff for 10 years I'll change my mind.
You, however, have not provided any solutions that I know of. Again, have I missed a post of yours giving alternatives?
It's not a requirement to stamp US passports, but for years and years, the majority of travelers have requested to have their passports stamped, to show they went somewhere.
Its just habit; I won't stamp a US passport unless the owner requests it.
I assume, you would have no problem with a national ID card either.
Number 9
True. And I don't think we are doing enough, now.
Perhaps if you'd lay down how far you're willing to go, we won't have to keep playing these leapfrog games.
OK, how easy should it be to cross international borders? You don't even need a passport to travel to or from Canada. That they would profile certain types crossing isn't the least bit disturbing
Like women going to the bathroom, Muslims can't seem to fly alone.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.