Stopped at Border Patrol and Question 7 on I-751

[Frenchy 0]

I thought that by "detain" on this question they referred to being in a "detention center". Before inputting what can be potentially a wrong answer I would definitely consult a lawyer. Good luck to you though, and sorry about what happened! Carrying that card is a must, but if you lose your wallet or its stolen the cost to replace it is frightening!

[texascamelqueen 1]

OK. Am I the only one confused about this? OP states: "Last June i was on the road traveling with my wife from Texas to California. i had to pass by two Border Patrol check points in Texas and in New Mexico". Last time I had was in a Geography Class, a trip from Texas to California does not take you outside the USA. - hence no borders to cross... How can you have a "Border Patrol Check Point" when you are not crossing the Border? Sorry if the question is dumb, but I don't get it....

Samby

Yes, there are numerous internal checkpoints along the states side of the U.S. - Mexico border, of which we were completely unaware; we thought the same thing as you--we weren't going to be crossing any international borders, so why would I need my card? Apparently, we were wrong and naive. Lesson learned.

[TBoneTX 43,422]

we weren't going to be crossing any international borders, so why would I need my card? Apparently, we were wrong and naive. Lesson learned.

The 100-mile radius around the U.S.'s borders has been referred to as the "de-Constitutionalized zone." Beware.

Be thankful that you DIDN'T apparently have to pass the CBP checkpoint south of Alpine, Texas. It's the worst.

To the poster who asked the meaning of detention: Interactions with law-enforcement officers (LEOs) fall into the categories of Contact, Detention, & Arrest. In a contact, you need not answer any questions or even talk to the LEO, just as if he were anyone on the street (exceptions are the outrageous "stop & identify" laws in many states, an outgrowth of the revolting Hiibel decision by the U.S. Supreme Court -- google it). A LEO is supposed to detain you only on the basis of RAS (reasonable articulable suspicion) that goes beyond a mere hunch. You are still not required to provide information (exception, above) without advice from an attorney, and you may be detained usually only for finite periods of time; however, you are NOT free to go during that time.

The OP was definitely not free to go, so that was an official detention.

Edited to add: This video needs to be watched by every American before any vacation or business trip and at least twice a year otherwise:

Edited September 19, 2011 by TBoneTX

[tooduhri 0]

OK. Am I the only one confused about this? OP states: "Last June i was on the road traveling with my wife from Texas to California. i had to pass by two Border Patrol check points in Texas and in New Mexico". Last time I had was in a Geography Class, a trip from Texas to California does not take you outside the USA. - hence no borders to cross... How can you have a "Border Patrol Check Point" when you are not crossing the Border? Sorry if the question is dumb, but I don't get it....

Samby

there are several interior checkpoints. You can read about them here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Border_Patrol_Interior_Checkpoints

[Barca 10]

sorry to hear what happened to you, check your inbox!

[TallCowboy0614 0]

You were detained officially.

I disagree. Betcha his next paycheck that there is no record anywhere of this "detention".

Just say no on the form.

[TBoneTX 43,422]

I disagree. Betcha his next paycheck that there is no record anywhere of this "detention".

On what authority do you make this claim? Answer, please.

Just say no on the form.

If the OP takes your advice and is nailed for lying, how do you propose to get her out of it? Answer, please.

[SLDFK 4]

I disagree. Betcha his next paycheck that there is no record anywhere of this "detention".

Just say no on the form.

Someone just lost their paycheck.

1. Photos and fingerprints were taken in Texas. Therefore, there is a RECORD in Texas.

2. Photos and fingerprints were taken in New Mexico. Therefore, there is a RECORD in New Mexico.

3. The photos and fingerprints were MOST likely used to access a variety of government databases. Any access to a government database generates a RECORD of date, time, who, which agency, and for what purpose..

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

This is great news! Check please!

[TinTin and Samby 11]

There are border check points all through the US in that area because of mexico. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Border_Patrol_Interior_Checkpoints

You are the only one confused about it.

OK. Thanks for...ummm..."unconfusing" me.

[redamber 0]

No, he wasn't detained in the sense of the meaning. If I was stopped and didn't have my DL or passport and went through the same incident of fingerprints and questioning - I would not consider myself detained! They weren't kept in custody!! They fingerprint to determine identity not to file charges. Did he go to jail? No they let him pass after the harrassment

DEFN: to keep under restraint or in custody

[Fifth Echelon 6]

Disregard this post.

Edited March 19, 2014 by Fifth Echelon