sinanju

Draw your own conclusions:

http://io9.com/5424502/sf-writer-pet...anadian-border
http://www.rifters.com/crawl/?p=932

Edit... and the forum won't let me correct the spelling of border in the subject. Ah, well.

lobster7

Since when does the US Border Patrol stop vehicles leaving the US? The only person/search I've ever dealt with was going into Canada by the Canadians.

greentips

DHSS has long been requiring anyone leaving the country by air to obtain exit visas. They do not call what it requires exit visas by name, but in essence, this is what it is. Just like Ethiopia, Uganda and a myriad of other progressive countries.

If you buy an outbound international ticket, the airline enters your information onto a computer called APIS (Advanced Passenger Information System). dhS expanded this to private aircraft in May, and it appears they have, in at least this instance expanded the outbound search to foreign nationals in Port Huron/Sarnia crossing.

Napolitano stated at one time that she intends to carry this to private boats as well, but I've heard nothing much since.

DHS has on at least two occasions in Long Beach California met departing private flights with armed police and ordered pilots and passengers to disembark at gunpoint in what has been described as a "military style" felony arrest. The pilots and passengers were ultimately allowed to go on their way. The word on the street is that they also similarly harrassed a domestic private flight from TX to CA.

Beware of the GrenzPolizei.


------
References:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/in...cilities/apis/
Baja Bush Pilots: check the main page text and eAPIS FAQs

n4zhg

http://www.boingboing.net/2009/12/11...tts-canad.html

Ari

This is the piss-poorest account of an event I have ever seen. It leaves out any and all useful details.

to this author for wasting everyone's time with half a story. What a moron.

greentips

Port Huron Times Herald

This article originally had him coming into the US for inspection from Canada. The latest revision states, The border is a constitution free zone. Both directions.

Until this year, I have never, ever known of anyone departing the US ever inspected for outbound customs. Anyone else ever have this happen?

KCK

They have increased the checks of vehicles going into Mexico. They are looking for guns and money.

Deeg

I moved to a town on the US side of the border with Canada in 2002 and crossed quite often. They were certainly doing outbound inspections as of then. There usually weren't any going on, but there were sometimes.

DeaconFlyer

Here's an idea, stay in your car, be polite, and you won't be tazed and arrested. Why piss off the people who have absolute power over your situation?

Ari

Here's an idea: when you don't know all the facts, shut up and don't pass judgment.

DeaconFlyer

I know that it's a fact that getting out of your car at a border checkpoint is not a good idea. And I know for a fact that's what Mr. Watts decided to do.

n4zhg

This happened to me prior to 9/11 crossing the San Ysidro PoE to Mexico on foot. Some moron in plain clothes asked me why I was going to Mexico, I told him MYOB and the next thing I knew I was in handcuffs. Apparently the feds do have the right to question people leaving the USA. Even if you are a citizen.

Ari

You also know he wasn't polite? How do you know that?

okazon69

Now covered at The Globe and Mail.

tev9999

Why would US customs be stopping outbound vehicles? I have never seen this done at any land border crossing, including the Bluewater Bridge in Pt. Huron.

You simply pay the toll on the US side, drive across and then encounter CANADIAN immigration/customs in Sarnia. Something here does not make sense.