Husband's run in with border patrol.....

[ford family]

no more annoying that someone stereotyping an entire ethnicity and making ignorant statements.
IMHO, if you're going throw something like that out there, you're far more effective if you actually use the correct word.

Hola=hello
Ola= a wave

Except, of course, that the "h" is silent so you would actually shout "ola"!!
And when you do, nobody ever waves back!!

ford family

 

[jemgumby]

no more annoying that someone stereotyping an entire ethnicity and making ignorant statements.
IMHO, if you're going throw something like that out there, you're far more effective if you actually use the correct word.

Hola=hello
Ola= a wave

And just what ignorant statements did I make? You know, it was my DH's idea for me to post his little story cause he knows I frequent these boards and I did against my better judgement. I had a feeling this would get turned around on me in the most hateful and absurd way and so it is true. I don't find it funny that the border patrol stopped him, what I find "funny" is that someone in that neighborhood actually took the time to report him. "Funny" in the sense that it was "strange" as in "this tastes funny"....not that the food had an incredible sense of humour but in that something was just not right.....I find it very sad that somebody in that neighborhood has such a problem with minorities that they would actually take the time to do that. And if you read my posts you will see that I sympathize with those that get pulled over by the border patrol. Yes, I do find it ironic that my husband is out in the heat busting his butt to make $$$$ for our family and our little government employee is riding around in his government vehicle just bored and looking for something to do. I find that ridiculous. He could have at least got out of his car. So you know what, you people can take it for what it's worth. I really don't care. I have seen this way too many times when somebody posts somebody and before you know it is way out of control. You know what I am done and this is not even worth my time. No sense dragging this out and I am done. Good day everybody!!!

 

[Green Tea]

I got pulled over on I 10(?) in southern NM. Keep in mind I am a pasty faced mom with tags from a mid-Atlantic state on my mini van. He asks if I'm a US citizen. Then he looks at my pasty faced kids in the back seat and asks if they are all US citizens. I answer and he waves me off telling me to have a nice day.

 

[LindaR]

Ok, Border Patrol is NOT just for illegal aliens........they confiscate ALOT of drugs that are brought in.

And to the OP......the little government employee just driving around in his little government vehicle is ON PATROL!!!!!!

Sometimes you have to go out looking for the bad guys cause they don't always come to you!

 

[Chuck S]

I got pulled over on I 10(?) in southern NM. Keep in mind I am a pasty faced mom with tags from a mid-Atlantic state on my mini van. He asks if I'm a US citizen. Then he looks at my pasty faced kids in the back seat and asks if they are all US citizens. I answer and he waves me off telling me to have a nice day.

They actually pulled you over? I've seen the checkpoints along the highways, where they stop all traffic. But I've never seen a random pullover.

And I've never seen Border Patrol cruising through neighborhoods here looking for day labor/repairmen/yardmen. Of course, our general area is 55% to 60% Hispanic, and I'd be pretty upset if I was questioned by the police on my own property just because of my race.

 

[happygirl]

Sounds like they were doing there job. My guess is someone called them and complained

 

[LindaR]

ChuckS.......I have seen the Border Patrol cruising around here!!! They also stop and watch the trains to see if there are people "hitching a ride."

I doubt that they "cruise" residential neighborhoods on a routine basis, but if someone called then perhaps they were responding to check into the validity?

 

[punkin]

Sounds like they were doing there job. My guess is someone called them and complained

Complained about what? "There's a dark skinned guy doing work on my neighbor's house?" Is this something our tax dollars are paying for? Yes, the guy in the SUV was just doing his job, but whoever called him was a little off.

 

[happygirl]

Complained about what? "There's a dark skinned guy doing work on my neighbor's house?" Is this something our tax dollars are paying for? Yes, the guy in the SUV was just doing his job, but whoever called him was a little off.

It sounds like they were off however, they get a complaint they have to go and check it out regardless of how they feel about the call.

 

[Mom2Nick]

And just what ignorant statements did I make? You know, it was my DH's idea for me to post his little story cause he knows I frequent these boards and I did against my better judgement. I had a feeling this would get turned around on me in the most hateful and absurd way and so it is true. I don't find it funny that the border patrol stopped him, what I find "funny" is that someone in that neighborhood actually took the time to report him. "Funny" in the sense that it was "strange" as in "this tastes funny"....not that the food had an incredible sense of humour but in that something was just not right.....I find it very sad that somebody in that neighborhood has such a problem with minorities that they would actually take the time to do that. And if you read my posts you will see that I sympathize with those that get pulled over by the border patrol. Yes, I do find it ironic that my husband is out in the heat busting his butt to make $$$$ for our family and our little government employee is riding around in his government vehicle just bored and looking for something to do. I find that ridiculous. He could have at least got out of his car. So you know what, you people can take it for what it's worth. I really don't care. I have seen this way too many times when somebody posts somebody and before you know it is way out of control. You know what I am done and this is not even worth my time. No sense dragging this out and I am done. Good day everybody!!!

You are being ridiculous. This man is a Border Patrol Agent - that is a serious job with serious responsibilities and the potential for danger and you are mad because he asked your husband a few questions?!?!?!?!

Your husband doing manual labor in the heat is NOT better then somebody doing their job in a car. Police Officers drive around in cars all day - are they ridiculous because they are not sweating like your husband?!?!?

 

[Scornelius]

Well......I find this very offensive. I live in New Mexico. Anytime I go to Las Cruces or to El Paso (which is frequent) I have to stop at the Border Patrol checkpoint.

I have NEVER found the issue of security or legality to be "funny" and worthy of stereotypes. Nor have I EVER been offended to be asked, "Ma'am, are you a US citizen?" and have the officer look into the back seat of my car. I have also had to open the trunk and answer questions about what I was doing, where I was going/coming from, what's in the shopping bags, etc.

It is their JOB!

BTW, I have light brown hair and green eyes AND still have the military sticker on my car. My daughter is very blond with blue eyes. We get asked questions. We answer questions. It's not funny. It's for OUR protection/benefit.......and by "our".....I mean each person in this country.

That's when you're crossing the border, though. People who crack jokes and get all defensive there are just asking for trouble. But I can't imagine just doing my job and being harassed by the border patrol, especially in a state that doesn't share a border. That just confuses me.

Now, on the other side, can you imagine being that officer? Having to stop anyone who looks mildly ethnic and, essentially, ask them to prove their citizenship? Oy.

 

[tikilyn]

As a wife of a Border Patrol Agent this thread makes me really sad!

Yes, I do find it ironic that my husband is out in the heat busting his butt to make $$$$ for our family and our little government employee is riding around in his government vehicle just bored and looking for something to do.

That is so offensive. Do you not know how many agents bust there butts out in the heat on the Southern Border where temps get into the 100's? This agent was doing what he was told to do. You don't really know why he was patrolling the neighborhood. Someone could have complained (like you said), someone could have given them a tip about illegals in the area and he was checking things out. That is his job! There was nothing wrong with him stoping and asking. Ok I'll give you one, he could have gotten out of his truck but well he didn't want too. Do you have the same feeling about our police officers? You know they are our little government employee that are riding around in their government vehicle just bored and looking for something to do, too?

Green Tea: There were probably a couple things that could have prompted them to pull you over. They were probably on the look out for a mini van that was either carrying illegals or drugs and your van fit the profile (of the van they were looking for).

It makes me sad to think that alot of people believe that these agents are racist brown skin haters. When in fact they are caring people, who actually understand why the illegals are trying to come over here. These guy and gals usually go into the patrol because they want to help protect America on our home front. Like my husband who served in the Marine corps for 4 yrs still felt like there was something more out there that he could do to serve his country (without being in the military).

Here's a story about my husband. One day he found a mother with two children who had just crossed the river. They didn't run from him but ran to him. They were lost and needed help. My husband did his usually questioning and loaded them up into his truck. On the way back to his station he overheard one of the kids telling the mom how hungry he was. You know, my husband pulled into a mcdonalds on the way to the station and bought (out of his pocket) both kids a happy meal and the mother a burger and fries. He always carries water for the illegals. So please don't think that these agents are racist haters. Their not!

ok rant over!
thanks for listening

 

[VickiVM]

As a wife of a Border Patrol Agent this thread makes me really sad!

Yes, I do find it ironic that my husband is out in the heat busting his butt to make $$$$ for our family and our little government employee is riding around in his government vehicle just bored and looking for something to do.

That is so offensive. Do you not know how many agents bust there butts out in the heat on the Southern Border where temps get into the 100's? This agent was doing what he was told to do. You don't really know why he was patrolling the neighborhood. Someone could have complained (like you said), someone could have given them a tip about illegals in the area and he was checking things out. That is his job! There was nothing wrong with him stoping and asking. Ok I'll give you one, he could have gotten out of his truck but well he didn't want too. Do you have the same feeling about our police officers? You know they are our little government employee that are riding around in their government vehicle just bored and looking for something to do, too?

Green Tea: There were probably a couple things that could have prompted them to pull you over. They were probably on the look out for a mini van that was either carrying illegals or drugs and your van fit the profile (of the van they were looking for).

It makes me sad to think that alot of people believe that these agents are racist brown skin haters. When in fact they are caring people, who actually understand why the illegals are trying to come over here. These guy and gals usually go into the patrol because they want to help protect America on our home front. Like my husband who served in the Marine corps for 4 yrs still felt like there was something more out there that he could do to serve his country (without being in the military).

Here's a story about my husband. One day he found a mother with two children who had just crossed the river. They didn't run from him but ran to him. They were lost and needed help. My husband did his usually questioning and loaded them up into his truck. On the way back to his station he overheard one of the kids telling the mom how hungry he was. You know, my husband pulled into a mcdonalds on the way to the station and bought (out of his pocket) both kids a happy meal and the mother a burger and fries. He always carries water for the illegals. So please don't think that these agents are racist haters. Their not!

ok rant over!
thanks for listening

Thanks for sharing first hand experience. And please thank your husband for putting his life on the line everyday. I'm not sure people understand how seriously dangerous the Mexican drug cartel is and how they have penetrated all areas of the US - not just border states. This is a very deeply woven crime organization and often the Border Patrol men and women are the ones with the most in depth knowledge of how they operate. The Mexican drug criminals have zero respect for the law and will take down anyone that puts a barrier between them and their operations. "Cruising" and asking questions may be part of a larger investigation.