concur with that...and DHS is among the worst. We were trying to get records related to a client and they consistently wanted some new release signed and would say they needed it back in 10 days but would postmark their envelope more than 8-10 days AFTER the letter with the release was dated.

We finally quit jumping through the hoops after about eight months...which was two months after our client was released from prison.

THis is why there are civil rights attorneys. There are some that specialize in government and immigration matters. Those are the ones you want to seek out. Firebug is correct that what was done is part of an invasive border search, but being detained time and time again is justification for bringing an attorney into the picture.

Just my opinion.

Honestly? What I'd do is write a three-figure check to my Congressperson's re-election committee, and more than that if you can afford it. This should gain you face time with whichever legislative assistant in his or her office handles this issue. It'll help if you're a highly placed executive with a company doing business in the district. Make the contribution online or mail a check, and then wait three or four weeks for it to make its way into the system before you follow up with a phone call.

I'm sorry to say, but this is not a democracy in the sense we are taught in school. Being a contributor (or citizen activist, but I doubt you have the inclination to do this) is nearly the only way to assure action out of your representatives.

I'd also hire a lawyer. FYI.