Klarinet Archive - Posting 000447.txt from 1999/03

From: "line ringuette" <lringuet@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Carl Fischer No More/Trade Laws/Customs
Date: Sun, 7 Mar 1999 11:14:18 -0500

I'm sorry to contribute to this kinda off-topic thread,
but Ravel, are you an american going through an american border? that
could have something to do with it....

I live in Canada but commute daily to school in Detroit Michigan, and I
have been harassed by Customs officers on the American side of the border
on many occasions.
I have a visa, proper identification, (not to mention having paid foreign
student fees that are 3x resident tuition even if I don't reside in
michigan, paid toll to cross...).
I have had officers at the Ambassador bridge put me through the wringer,
just because they felt like doing so...

My car has been searched, I've been held up waiting while some jerk tells
me he's running a check on my driver's licence (while he really calls up
his buddy and talks about his upcoming trip to Florida - right in front of
me, not even checking my identification --just all to frustrate me). I've
been questionned by officers who refuse to believe that I volunteer with
the DSCO - not paid - even though I have a signed letter from the personnel
manager, on orchestra letterhead that states I am not paid for rehearsals,
concerts etc...

I've got stories too numerous to share here. I've never felt so powerless
and scared as when crossing that border sometimes. I don't understand why
they choose to pick on people. I don't know why they would get all upset
at me: I'm spending ridiculous amounts of money in the USA, I'm not
dangerous, I've never done anything illegal, I'm a Canadian clarinet
student for god's sake! I'd figure you'd want me in your country!!!!

Line Ringuette
a border-weary clarinet player/grad student.

----------
> From: Ravel1024@-----.com
> To: klarinet@-----.org
> Subject: RE: [kl] Carl Fischer No More/Trade Laws/Customs
> Date: March 7, 1999 10:38 AM
>
> Ed Maurey posted "Actually, I'm an OK guy."
>
> Ed, you call the Customs Service officers "Jerks" and "Goons" because
they are
> enforcing the laws that are written by Congress; if they did not enforce
those
> laws, they would be derelict in their duty. You may not agree with the
> laws...but casting aspersions on those who enforce them is not the
hallmark of
> "an OK guy" (IMHO).
>
> I don't know what things were like in the 60's when you say these things
> happened, but when I came through Customs at airports (twice in 1996) and
at
> the border (1997, I think) the officers were very professional,
courteous, and
> pleasant...hardly the "Jerks" and "Goons" of your description.
>
> Ravel
>

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