Originally Posted by
Jcado
What is it about passport control officers that terrifies people? I have seen otherwise confident people reduced to trembling wrecks when queuing up to enter a country. Or people that start to look nervous at the slightest hint of additional questioning. What is it about these officials that causes so much fear?
Most people are up to something, that's why
But also, as mentioned upthread, in many places the administration of justice can be a tad capricious. And as with the IRS, if they want to trip you up on something, the law is Byzantine enough that they can. Quite happily.