Originally Posted by
SATTSO
Its NOT even CLOSE to the same question.
Its federal law that some sort of screening happen for passengers to enter the sterile area of the airport per the ATSA, that law is carried out by regulation, orders, SD and MD.
PT said the ONLY requirement to enter the country as a citizen is to prove citizenship, which can be done with a Passport. Then said that the searches can not be denied if customs decides to do it. I do understand that is not saying they are mandatory, but it certainly seems to add another condition besides the "only" - that is what I am asking about.
Odd, that you somehow see it the same way.
And understand, I am not asking because I think that its unfair if I am searched coming into the US. He wrote something, I'm simply curious about it, and am asking follow up questions.
I have had my bags checked by customs coming into the US before. It was not a problem for me. It will not be a problem for me if it happens again. Simple as that.
Wow. What generated all the heat?
I'm not a lawyer, but I do see it the same way
PTravel does.
As just an ordinary citizen, if I get stopped anywhere in the country for an 'administrative search' (or any kind of 'fixed' stop, like DUI checkpoints, southwestern border and highway checkpoints, airport checkpoints, courthouse checkpoints or customs) - from my perspective, it's all pretty much the same. In each case, IMHO you go along or there are probably consequences.
From my perspective as an ordinary citizen, it's immaterial to me what the legal basis of the search is. When someone says they're going to perform an 'administrative' search on me, what difference does it make whether it's federal or state law, or a regulation or a rule. The one time my bag was checked, all hand luggage was being checked. The agent was polite and quick. Either way, in my mind, I was already back 'home' by the time I got to him. It was my belongings that weren't truly 'home' until he cleared them.
To me, if I get stopped for a post-immigration customs search crossing the border, that's no more relevant to me entering/being denied entry to my country than if I clear immigration, drive 10 miles down the road and get stopped by a CBP at a roadblock. IMHO, neither one has anything to do with me entering the country.
'Fair'? I don't know where that came from. I didn't see anything in your question about 'fair' and I didn't see anything in my post about 'fair'.