Originally Posted by Wiirachay

I've read some stories here about poor treatment by US Customs. I've only received poor treatment once, at the US-Canadian border back in the early 2000s. Other than that, all other instances were fine at both land borders and at airports.

But here's a scenario that I've thought of and wondered what could come of it?

Situation: Poor treatment of traveler, but with US Customs fully clearing traveler to legally enter the USA, perhaps with traveler in tears or items spread all around like a mess, with US Customs on a power trip, with no sense of empathy or professionalism, to help traveler get re-organized. (e.g. calling an assistant to help re-organize and repack. Yes, I've seen assistants of US Customs help travelers re-pack and re-organize.)

Traveler then asks US Customs officer to verify that they're fully cleared into the country in a monotone voice. Customs officer responds, "yes," with a bunch of other US Customs staff in the area.

Scenario A: Traveler says in a monotone, non-threatening voice, "Give me your name, badge # now."
Does customs officer retain any right to demand a follow-up inspection?

Scenario B: Traveler says in a monotone, non-threatening voice, some kind of intelligent insult, such as, "I see you think that your unprofessional and poor treatment of travelers compensates for low person self-worth."
Does customs officer retain any right to demand a follow-up inspection?

Yes, I know the majority of US Customs people are fine, do their jobs professionally, and treat travelers with dignity. But there are some bad apples out there, whom I think need to be put in their place through either being reported or being told in a subtle, monotone manner that they're essentially a sack of manure.

I was a graduate student at the time I received poor treatment at the US-Canadian border back in the early 2000s, when actually leaving the USA (MI side) to transit Canada and re-enter the USA (NY side). Somehow, I was just flagged for exit inspection that went beyond cursory and extended into un-professionalism. Upon re-entry to the US a few hours later, the experience with US Customs was cursory with typical professional behavior.

Since all my previous encounters prior were routine, (e.g. x-ray, direct exit, physical bag inspection with professional manners) I was just too dumbfounded to make any comments at the poor treatment I received, and too dumbfounded to even pause and ask for a badge number to report.