Present CHL to Border Patrol?

[dcphoto]

Having worked on a border project, I got to know a bunch of officers in TX, NM, AZ, and CA. They are not evil and they are not trying to trample your rights. It is ridiculous when jerks show their behind with these provocation videos. For crying out loud just say you are a citizen and get on down the road. It ain't that hard. BTW - yes they are Federal law enforcement and as such they can search, arrest, and pursue. And - they also can apprehend someone breaking State laws (they just turn em over to local law enforcement for charge/prosecution). If stopped by any Federal Law enforcement it might be a good idea to simply tell them you are armed and have a concealed carry license. Again - it ain't that hard.

Welp, it ain't that hard to respect my fourth amendment rights and allow me to travel freely in my own country is it? I used to not care too much about the checkpoints until I was aggressively questioned at the checkpoint in Sierra Blanca one day. Heck, I even brought them three dozen doughnuts from Krispy Kreme one morning on my way through. Now I have about two acres of white fourth point of contact they can kiss when I go through one. It is in no way shape or form about immigration status anymore. At the time of US vs. Martinez it may have been but it isn't now. If it's about immigration then they need to be on the border. Period. And before you try and tell me the border is secure and we don't need anymore officers there I invite you to take your family camping on the border for a night. If you do, please leave your firearms at home, because you know, it's safe.

I won't tell you the border is secure. I will tell you that I have flown nearly the entire length of the Texas / Mexico border. I will say, unequivocally, even if we assign every active, reserve, and national guard unit to patrolling the border, from Cali to the Valley, it would be a nearly impossible task to secure the entire length.

[winters]

Most people find it an invasion of their privacy when they ask those questions. If I don't have to answer im not going to. Has nothing to do making their jobs more difficult. Its the fact I am not required to answer. If they wanted to catch illegals why are they stopping people 90 miles inside the boarder. When I get stopped by a police officer for speeding I don't offer up oh yea I always do x over the speed limit because I can and have enough money to not care about the fine.

I drive to Louisiana a lot and constantly see a truck marked "boarder patrol" right outside of the east side of lake Charles. Why do we need someone from boarder patrol there?

[Charlies.Contingency]

Most people find it an invasion of their privacy when they ask those questions. If I don't have to answer im not going to. Has nothing to do making their jobs more difficult. Its the fact I am not required to answer. If they wanted to catch illegals why are they stopping people 90 miles inside the boarder. When I get stopped by a police officer for speeding I don't offer up oh yea I always do x over the speed limit because I can and have enough money to not care about the fine.

I drive to Louisiana a lot and constantly see a truck marked "boarder patrol" right outside of the east side of lake Charles. Why do we need someone from boarder patrol there?

I remember I was about 50 miles away from lake Charles on the Texas side of the border, and I would've thought the same thing, but that dry bulk 40ft trailer sitting next to the truck stop that cooked a bunch of illegals inside of it changed my way of thinking. Just saying. If I do recall, there was a rash of abandoned illegals in trailers, I think it even made the news at some points. I know that was years ago, but still. I'd like to see more presence along the border, and leave the ones that make it through to get caught by the sheriff's and city cops...

[SkipB]

I'm no more a fan of going through boarder check points inside my state than anyone else. But those guys are just doing their job. When fishing Amistad or Falcon I have to go through a check point some where on my way back. It doesn't bother me at all to show my ID and CHL. I always make sure every locked box on my PU or boat are unlocked. My ego is not so big I have to look down on them.

[jmra]

Seems like people draw the line at different places when surrendering their rights. I prefer to keep all of them intact. It is your right to give up your rights, but rest assured that if you so chose, they will be taken.

[Charlies.Contingency]

Seems like people draw the line at different places when surrendering their rights. I prefer to keep all of them intact. It is your right to give up your rights, but rest assured that if you so chose, they will be taken.

You are very stern about either completely refusing to be polite and comply, or you're succumbing to evil and signing away your soul. I'm not giving away my rights if I so choose to be forthcoming with information. It is a loss of rights if I have no choice... Or am I missing something here?

[jmra]

Seems like people draw the line at different places when surrendering their rights. I prefer to keep all of them intact. It is your right to give up your rights, but rest assured that if you so chose, they will be taken.

You are very stern about either completely refusing to be polite and comply, or you're succumbing to evil and signing away your soul. I'm not giving away my rights if I so choose to be forthcoming with information. It is a loss of rights if I have no choice... Or am I missing something here?

I didn't say anything about not being polite.

[JSThane]

Most people find it an invasion of their privacy when they ask those questions. If I don't have to answer im not going to. Has nothing to do making their jobs more difficult. Its the fact I am not required to answer. If they wanted to catch illegals why are they stopping people 90 miles inside the boarder. When I get stopped by a police officer for speeding I don't offer up oh yea I always do x over the speed limit because I can and have enough money to not care about the fine.

I drive to Louisiana a lot and constantly see a truck marked "boarder patrol" right outside of the east side of lake Charles. Why do we need someone from boarder patrol there?

I remember I was about 50 miles away from lake Charles on the Texas side of the border, and I would've thought the same thing, but that dry bulk 40ft trailer sitting next to the truck stop that cooked a bunch of illegals inside of it changed my way of thinking. Just saying. If I do recall, there was a rash of abandoned illegals in trailers, I think it even made the news at some points. I know that was years ago, but still. I'd like to see more presence along the border, and leave the ones that make it through to get caught by the sheriff's and city cops...

Still happens, although I haven't heard of any deaths lately.

As for the ones that make it through, we need to start prosecuting "sanctuary city" officials in order to make that stick. Otherwise you'll just have the status quo of "not my job" that is currently in place.

[JSThane]

Having worked on a border project, I got to know a bunch of officers in TX, NM, AZ, and CA. They are not evil and they are not trying to trample your rights. It is ridiculous when jerks show their behind with these provocation videos. For crying out loud just say you are a citizen and get on down the road. It ain't that hard. BTW - yes they are Federal law enforcement and as such they can search, arrest, and pursue. And - they also can apprehend someone breaking State laws (they just turn em over to local law enforcement for charge/prosecution). If stopped by any Federal Law enforcement it might be a good idea to simply tell them you are armed and have a concealed carry license. Again - it ain't that hard.

I'm with you.. it's real easy not to cause trouble. But the reality is that they're not "allowed" to do anything about someone who remains silent, but they often do...
And what's the point? Is saying "yes" to that question really enough to establish citizenship? I think not... It's not a stop about residency, it's a stop about eyeballing your vehicle and maybe slowing you down enough for a quick sniff from the drug dog - and having that happen on THIS side of the border isn't legal. America doesn't start 100 miles from the border. Sure, it catches some bad guys... And sure, it's a minor inconvenience, but we could catch a lot more bad guys if we were to trample a few more rights.

The world isn't perfect...

The bolded section is part of the reason I -don't- have a problem with people recording at the checkpoints (that whole 1st Amendment thing aside ). BP are people too, and just as prone to moments of stupidity as anyone else. Having something to back up your side of the story in an official complaint can be very important (who watches the watchmen kind of thing).

And I'm not a fan of the checkpoints. That being said, the rest of your quote is an issue for courts and legislatures, no matter how much I may agree with the points and sentiments espoused.

[cb1000rider]

I always make sure every locked box on my PU or boat are unlocked. My ego is not so big I have to look down on them.

That's going a bit far, I think.. I can understand the argument that it's really not too much to ask to say "American citizen" - but to prepare your stuff for search? I'm not talking about an actual border checkpoint here (different set of rules) - but the inland check points - why the heck are they searching you or your boat?

[Bart]

Foreigners can get a Texas CHL if they buy a hunting license. The law doesn't require anyone to show their Texas CHL to CBP and it doesn't prove anything they need to know, so what's the point?

I carry my passport card but so far they never asked for identification unless I'm actually crossing the border. YMMV

[Dragonfighter]

Don't ever answer, "Que?" when they ask that question. At least not within punching distance of your wife.

[SkipB]

I always make sure every locked box on my PU or boat are unlocked. My ego is not so big I have to look down on them.

That's going a bit far, I think.. I can understand the argument that it's really not too much to ask to say "American citizen" - but to prepare your stuff for search? I'm not talking about an actual border checkpoint here (different set of rules) - but the inland check points - why the heck are they searching you or your boat?

I have never been searched going through a Boarder Patrol check point. I alway prepare in the event they ask to look in any compartment in my PU are boat. I always roll all my windows down so they can get a clear view as they walk up to my vehicle. I'm not a fan of the inland check points but no one ask me if I wanted them or not. Just so you know I am a Vietnam Veteran who went over twice. I spent 10 1/2 years in the military with many medals to include 3 Purple Hearts. After my service time I spent 16 1/2 years in Police work driving a squad car arresting bad guys. I very much believe in protecting my rights. Whether a Boarder Patrol fits the bill under Texas are federal law as a Police Officer I feel if one approaches my vehicle I should let him know I'm armed by presenting my CHL along with my DL. To me that is not a problem. I chose to leave my tool box and boat lids unlocked just in case they ask to look inside. They do have a right to do that. I'm not saying everyone has to feel as I do, to each their own. If anyone wishes to refuse to do anything they feel is unlawful and offends them then that is there business.

[cb1000rider]

I chose to leave my tool box and boat lids unlocked just in case they ask to look inside. They do have a right to do that. I'm not saying everyone has to feel as I do, to each their own.

Skip, first, thanks for your obviously substantial service.
As a former police officer, you know that you can't just make up what you can and can't search. I understand a willingness to be compliant and helpful - not give these guys a hard time.

We're talking about inland check points. What is it that gives the border patrol the right to search your truck and boat at an inland check point? Border check point is different - they can search at will.

[SkipB]

I do agree with your point. Inside of the state of Texas a state of the United States we shouldn't have to go through a boarder check point. I don't see that as part of securing our boarder.