Since I live next to the border, I go to Mexico every once in a while for fun, for food or medication. One day I was crossing the border from Algodones in 115 degree weather with my friend, heading home. When I arrived at the end of the borderline the U.S. Custom and Border Protection Service asked for identification and our reason to Mexico. Our reason to Mexico was to get some medication and for food since we also had a bag of chips. She didn't look pleased and so proceeded with checking our passports. She puts everything down and goes behind my car, she begins to bang on my tires and the rear end. She then asks me to open my trunk and I don't mind because we have nothing there but my friend is starting to get frustrated because she needs to use the restroom. The U.S. Custom then comes to the front and asks if we have anything else to declare and I respond with a simple "no." She looks at us both and asks to open up the back door. My door's handle fell off so I had to open it for her from inside. I didn't mind again but my friend was having enough. What happened next scared us both. She hopped on the back seat and literally pushed it down several times. I was astonished and replied with Is this even necessary? Is it because we're young?" She didn't respond got off the car and returned our identification.
Why over-use the authority?
U.S. Customs all around us
I have crossed the border from Mexico to the U.S. many times. I had encountered rude U.S Customs before but this woman really didn't have to get in my car and scare me like that. My friend immediately said profiling. It has also happened several times with my father because he is Mexican and darker skinned. When instead of sending him to secondary they check him there and question him with inappropriate questions. I know it's people's jobs but be respectful and appropriate while having that authority. Just because people have that power, do not judge or make assumptions of others.
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