I remember a man years ago, an American citizen, who caused all sorts of problems when his vehicle was picked for a random search at the Canadian border. This was on the American side. The belligerant man then refused to turn out his pockets...
He was led off to a private room for a private chat about complying with regulations.
I'd like to know which one it is people want: heavier security on the borders or, as Marine Merchant appears to be saying, NO security checks AT ALL for American citizens...even those who routinely ignore Canadian laws about not letting people convicted of even minor offenses like DUIs cross the border? There is NO guarantee this group was checked before entering Canada, so there should be no problem with double checking their identities on the way back FROM Canada.
Does anyone remember Wesley Clark's bogus claim of being contacted by the White House on 9/11 at home on CNN, from a "Muslim think tank" in Canada - which had no such think tank - to lie about who was really behind the attacks? How about the guy who smuggled a trunk load of C4 across the border, caught by an alert agent? The guy who was whining because he got tagged for a having a tunkload of homemade quarter sticks he was bringing across the border? There's a pattern here.
This isn't a game. This is a war which we didn't start, and American citizens, who also happen to be Muslim, have already joined the other side in order to kill us. I'd have checked them too.
Unless there is some reason to suspect that I am not the legitimate holder of that passport, it IS my identification.
Once these people proved that they were US Citizens, and they are not listed in any wanted notices, they should not have to submit to any other identification process.
Your passport does not specify a religion.
Customs searching for contraband is another story, but if you do not submit, they should simply turn you around and send you back - you are more then welcome to complain to the US consulate in the country you happen to be in.