TexasCHLforum.com

I appreciate your concerns about the 4th amendment, and I don't know why the Border Patrol searches cars for contraband at these interior check points. That is supposed to be checked at the border.

The real reason for these interior check points is to control illegal immigration. Both the US and Mexico allow free crossing of the border without papers for a short distance (15 miles?). This allows us to visit border cities, and it allows mexicans to come to our side to shop. It seems like half the cars in a border town's Walmart have mexican plates.

So the only real control of immigration has to be done at the interior choke points. The ground along the highways for miles before these points are plowed and swept, so that anyone trying to get off a vehicle and walk around them will leave tracks. You'll see Border patrol cars driving slowly along the highway looking for them. I've never been harrassed at one of these points, because our family is obviously anglo, and I don't fit whatever profile they're looking for. I suspect it might be different if I looked hispanic.

As for my nephew, from a constitutional freedom point of view, I'm sure you're right. He shouldn't have been treated the way he was. I wasn't there to see exactly what happened. But at that time of his life, he was doing his best to look like a gang banger, with his hair, beard, and clothes. And then he apparently showed some disrespect to the agent. So at a personal level, he might have learned something from it.

Back to the immigration, I don't understand why so much emphasis is being placed on a fence at the border, or why so many illegals swim the river. They can cross at the bridge. The trick is getting inland.

Scott

For what its worth, my wife grew up in Del Rio, and my in laws still live there. I've been stopped at the border patrol check point near Uvalde countless times, but I've never been asked for ID. The agent will look in the car, ask a few questions, and wave us on.

My daughters had their car searched once. I guess young people might be thought more likely to being carrying drugs. A nephew tried to be a smart aleck one time, and got spread eagled on the asphalt. I expect the experience was good for him.

I doubt most of the officers would be too paranoid about guns. They see plenty of rifles during hunting season. If I'm ever asked for ID, my personal plan is to show the CHL. I'm not sure it's legally required, but if there's any question, why not?

Scott