I wasn't going to post this but I just returned from Manila last night and was detained again (at passport control, held for secondary screening, 5th time in a row). I did a redress many months ago and had received my final letter (but very generic) and thought this nightmare had ended, guess not. I wrote something up to post to a few editorials to see if someone could help me or maybe experienced this problem. The officers at LAX were very courteous (unlike MIA, read on) and explained a computer program gets you on (I have lived part in Cartagena, Colombia and the Dominican Republic and over the last 5 years maybe entered 50 times) but a human gets you off. The supervisor suggested I write my local congress man and said he has seen this work in the past.

I just wrote the DHS again (as suggested in my redress letter) and they DID NOT RESPOND, just a email responder. I need a good direction as what to do next. Yes I contacted the office for "freedom of information Act" to see if there is something about me I don't know (doubt it, since I'm the conservative type) but that could take another six month!

If anyone has any thoughts or ideas I would appreciate it as what to do next. I'm at wits end and open for ideas.

Okay, my story (get a large cup of coffee and put your legs up, this will be entertaining (not for me).

First, I'm a retired 65 year old business man who has been traveling over 50 years. I'm an American Airline million mile "Advantage" and now close to that on Continental's ' "one pass" where I'm Platinum Elite. I've probably visit every major country over that 50 years and of recently held property in Cartagena Colombia and now built a home on the North coast of the Dominican Republic. I love travel and actually still travel every 45 days and once home can hardly wait till my next trip. I think you know the feeling.

About 5 month ago I started getting detained as passport control for no apparent reason. In fact a few month earlier I applied for the "Global Entry program" and after a thorough check and a personal interview was accepted, so I was dumbfounded when it happened again and again. I have no problem with a random selection for secondary inspection (good for security) but every time?

Now, each time it is a a two- three hour wait, interview, search and a thank you. I have now missed connecting flights, had to spend nights in strange cities and altered my travel plans (only come home on week-ends now) and now can't travel with my family. The detention in Miami was like going to the dungeon and I was made to feel as a criminal. They were so determined to find something (whatever?) that after a two hour investigation (if one can call it that) decided they needed to take me to a third private room and touch my private parts -- how totally humiliating. Now every time I enter my own country I'm worried to death what will happen next. I'm a worry wart and I have no more hair to pull out.

After some research I was pointed to the Dept of Homeland Security redress page (http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1169673653081.shtm). Now the story begins. Now the purpose of this web site is help travelers who have problems with the DHS and to help resolve them. I was excited to finally have the means to end this nightmare for me. But alas, only a dream. The program (redress) was basically an exercise in futility.

After waiting three month (yes three month) I still hadn't heard from DHS although their web page said my case was closed. I emailed a few times until an real person responded (75% time is a generic response) and said they made a mistake and they needed to reopen the case. Okay, another month passes (and detained again in Miami, more on this later) and again their web site says cased closed, letter mailed. After waiting two more weeks I beg them to actually mail me this letter, but I get lucky and DHS worker emails me the letter. TO THIS DAY I HAVE NOT RECEIVED MY SNAIL MAIL LETTER.

Well this letter (that is suppose to respond directly to my redress) is just another form letter that says nothing. Not a clue if the problem is solved, what the problem is or even who to respond to (as they say on their web site) if I'm not happy with the resolution. They say basically if not happy just mail their office again -- why would I do this if no-one ever responds? So I 've now written to the foio (freedom of information office), the Global Entry office (to see if they will reinstate me -- or explain the problem) and even a letter to the office of Secretary Napolitano.

In DHS email they also tell me their is NO-ONE I CAN TALK TO or email directly. Jesus I'm an American citizen, paid my taxes for 50 years, never (never) had any problems and now am treated like a criminal when I enter my own country. But after 5 month of being investigated (and still not a clue of why), 5 interviews (4 by agents, one by global entry) and all this is in their computer you'd think someone would realize I'm the good guy.

All I want is to be greeted as I have been for the last 50 years of travel when I return to my country -- "Welcome home" such a simple thing I've never take for granted again. I know you can't help me but maybe someone will give me a clue how to really end this nightmare and who I can REALLY contact and listen.

Thank you for your time for reading all this

singletravel

Detained in Miami

What can I say except worst experience of my life. As I approach the control I can feel my heart pounding. The officer gives me a dirty look and says "follow me." I feel bad for the people behind me (and those dirty looks), extra wait for them as the officer leads me away. First we pass a long line of Spanish people, he says " don't fret, you don't have to get into that line." He takes me to a room and "...." a 100 people in there, waiting and standing. He hands my passport to a gent and says "sit" and leaves. I try and ask a few questions but only get angry looks -- "wait you turn, criminal" and I finally find a seat. 30 minutes later a agent yells out my name, I think "hey could be worse" but little do I know just beginning.

He leads me downstairs into a holding cell with a glass window. There is a crying Spanish lady there, saying "yo no puts" over and over. I walk around (I'm nervous and about to miss my connecting flight). An agent walks in and says "sit down, your making me nervous" What??? I sit down! 30 minutes later agent arrive. Not one, but three (gee I must be important). They empty my bags and ask the twenty questions they always ask. No I'm not carry over 10,000 da, da da. The lady asks where is my billfold and I say in my carry-on, now on the table. She completely empties it and gives it back, I take it and put it in my back pocket. They talk my iphone and i[pod )my ipod??? must be some music is illegal to listen too?). I wait 20 minutes, they leave AND another three guys show up. Ask me the same questions ands where is my billfold. I saw in my back pocket, the lady runs up and says why am I lying? You told me in your carry-on. I remind her she made me remove it and saw me put it back in my back pocket. She seemed disappointed I wasn't caught in a lie.

Another 30 minutes and the boss and two agents (and that dam women) are having a conference (like an umpire huddle in football, touchdown or not). The boss comes back with a new guy (number 7) and he puts on the rubber gloves -- oh ....! He leads me to another back room (how many back rooms are there?) and puts me against the wall and spread eagle. Then he says "don't react" as he fondles my privates -- how dam humiliating, jesus I'm an American citizen. Of course they find nothing and now sent to another waiting area (but alas open) and I walk around but the guys screams "sit down" okay. Another 30 minutes and they bring my iphone and ipod back and all seem so disappointed -- yup, I'm free to go. He says thank you and I leave. Of course I missed my connecting flight to LAX and have to spend the night in MIA. Did I mention I'm an American citizen?

This makes me so mad. I wish I could provide you some practical advise. I think you need to contact your congressman, the ACLU and maybe even the press. The way you were treated is unconciousable. The very least they owe you for these illegal searche is an explanation for the basis an an opportunity to clear your name. Totally unacceptable. Wish you the best.

This is the kind of case the ACLU likes. Even if they don't take the case, they could perhaps refer you to an attorney.

Are you familiar with the case of Steven Hatfill? Perhaps you could have similar causes of action to what he had. (By the way, he ended up with a 7-figure settlement from the US government.)

Welcome to FT singletravel! ^

Terribly infuriating experiences... Have you written your Congressman and/or Senator?

I'm sure others have tried and failed but at least it would be one more step. If that failed I would look for a lawyer genuinely interested in pursuing this, realizing that it might also sadly be a waste of time or money.

I hope others here can help you with better suggestions.

Although probably deserving the monetary reward, it does little to punish to real criminals, the government thugs, that will continue to carry out their terror on ordinary people that have committed no crime what so ever.

My question is who are these people and where do they come from that seem to "get off" or delight in treating law abiding people like they are less than human. Does anyone in government know what is going on, do they condone it, do they give immigration authority to do these despicable acts?

In my wildest imagination I can't imagine anyone with one ounce of compassion being capable of treating anyone like that. Here is an employee of the government, accepting US taxpayers money to act like some monster and reduce people to something less than a fellow human.

It turns my stomach.

There should be a website that posts pictures, addresses and violations that these sub-humans commit. Like they tell us, "If you have done nothing wrong, what is the problem?"

I am truly sorry the OP must experience this and have no one in a position to help him do so.

Do these thugs go home and kiss their children? I hope that one day the tables are turned and they will experience the same treatment that they so energetically dish out to law abiding people.

Truly a sad day that this is happening in the USA in this day and age.

Bingo. An attorney is what he needs. As a returning American citizen, you don't have to give them the time of day, and any unreasonable detention is unlawful. My understanding is that the search of hisprivate areas (lacking probable cause) was illegal.

Definitely follow up with an attorney.

The pat down that the OP describes is part of the border search. It is covered in the border search authority exception. It is not illegal nor is probable cause necessary to perform it. However, supervisor concurrence is required. In this case, it appears that did happen as the supervisor was present.

To the OP, you are taking the correct steps it does take a long time to resolve issues. You said that you were accepted to Global Entry but then talk about calling Global Entry to see if they will re-instate you which implies that it was taken away. If there is something on your record which does not pertain to you or is by coincidence is pertains to someone with your name and date of birth, which does happen on occasion, there is a process the officer at the port can do to flag your document as not a the subject of the record that is causing the problem. However, it has to be verified that you are not the subject of the problem without knowing what the issue is I can't tell you if it could be resolved in that manner.

The only other thing I can suggest to the OP is that he remove his real name from his post. I think you may not have realized that you posted it in your telling of your story.

FB

Attorney, media, congressman. Probably in that order.

Doing this to a US citizen who has not committed a crime, let alone repeatedly, is disgusting.

Welcome to FT.

Why does it take a long time to resolve issues?

Thanks guys for the support. I'm writing the ACLU now and will wait till my "foia" report is back for my congressman women and send her all the details.

Yes, what peeves me the most that this is been going on for six month and in their email they state "there is no-one I can talk to or write directly" that is absurd as American Citizen. And once they do write you (believe this, I just got their snail mail letter yesterday, six month after my redress). Yes I'm truly embarrassed and been ridiculed to be molested to enter my own country but I'm not a prude and can live with it. I just never will use mia again (ewr and lax officers are real humans who actually care) But, having no-one to call, listen or help me work out the problem (I volunteered to fly anyplace needed at my own expense to be interviewed again if necessary) and the apathy of DHS and their redress program (which appears to me to be totally understaffed or a gimmick to appease harassed travelers) is greatly disturbing to me as my own country.

If anyone has knows anyone in DHS or have some private thoughts please PM me and I can send more details (don't want to bore you more here).

Since this is my first post let me give you some useful info. Just back on Asiana 'business class" to Seoul and Manila and I flew their 777. It has the OLD business class but I hear their 747's have the new lay flat sears that are staggered. I would recommend this plane (are two flights a day from LAX) for I never could really get comfy in these seats. From Seoul to Mnl is a airbus 330 with the same seats of the 777. Asiana is a step behind but was my only choice with "Star Alliance miles" (120,000) and of course Singapore Air had no availability.

Seoul (Inchon) is an amazing airport and no only free wi-fi the whole airport but comfy and interesting. Of course Manila is a disaster, but that is the Philippines.

A side note, I just bought the new mac book air (11' model, amazing and the perfect travel companion) and read on other sites it was so small it was considered a gadget and not needed to bring out of bag when doing security. Well, not true and at lax when checking in cost me 10 minutes to have it sent through alone after the marked my bag for secondary screening (my life story). I told the TSA guy it was not needed and quizzed him if he new what it was? Well, the kid said he sold them at Best Buy AND ALL LAPTOPS must be screened separately. Shut me up real quick :-)

Thanks again for the input ...

Can you get your your congresswoman (someone in her office, she could just get an intern to write up the letter on her congressional letterhead) to order the FOIA? Such a request might have more clout coming from her office.

Your experience sickens me and saddens me at the same time. Get an attorney, go to the media and your representatives.

How can this happen to a US citizen? What justification? If you're clean, and I believe you are, then what happened to you is no different than what happened to people at the hands of the Gestapo or KGB.

Perhaps next time, and I hope there won't be a next time, you should greet them with a Nazi salute. And then refuse to answer a single question.

Screw 'em.

You know it may be the Colombia thing. Or being an expat. I have lived for a while in Colombia and Malaysia. Maybe the Colombia thing puts you on a drug smuggler list. And Malaysia = muslim terrorist I guess. I wish I could remember when I also started to get hassled more than randomly from the TSA. Not every time like you though. For me it seems more like 3 out of 4 times that I fly I get a full secondary + interrogation. It may have started on my first trip to Colombia but I can't remember. I have only had a super long hour plus (about 90 minutes I think) interrogation once though. If I had to deal with that every time I flew out of the US it would be a nightmare. Maybe they have lists with different levels of suspicion. It looks like I'm high up but not at the top of the suspicious traveller list.

Do know that FOIA requests can take months (even years) to fulfill, particularly if the agency is being stubborn.

Thanks firebug 4, I removed my name, missed that. But

that is the problem, how do I found out the issue? The redress told me nada and no-one to speak to and only canned responses from email. What can I do?