Originally Posted by
teddybear99
Sounds like the Border Patrol agents of Customs, however they would be the same uniforms as the Customs agents that interview you as you pass through the checkpoint. They can be anywhere as it's their responsibility to find illegal aliens.
The following link is their appearance policy, you will see different pictures of their uniforms:
https://nebula.wsimg.com/81946546684...&alloworigin=1
Unfortunately, they may ask questions you feel maybe discriminatory but are asked to determine if someone should be where they are. They stop someone who looks like they may be doing something suspicious, however if you were doing nothing wrong, as you were, they let you through. There are signs entering the airport that by entering this federal facility, you are consenting to any inquiry or search requested by federal officials.
Note: I don't work for any government agency, but have to transport people after dealing with customs in MIA and they have gotten frustrated with the process.
I am getting more confident that it was border patrol/customs officer. While they have lots of powers, they do not have the right to ask the questions I was asked. I did call different agencies who agreed it was a serious complaint but they were stymied as to who needed to address the issue because of the problem in identifying the agency and officer involved. I am not sure that the phone numbers provided lead to people who work in the airport itself and who would automatically know who would be physically present in specific locations. Hence my dilemma. Now I am hesitating between TSA and border patrol/customs but what is weird is that one of the shoulder patches shown on the uniform in that border patrol uniform manual has both.