Papers Please...well, not quite

[Dragonfighter]

I didn't know where to put this but I noticed something interesting on my trip to the left coast. Checkpoints on the freeways though Arizona and California. These were INS/ICE checkpoints where they would funnel down the freeway traffic, stop each vehicle momentarily and either look in the car or out and out ask if we were citizens. I did not have to provide any credentials but after four stops I was beginning to wonder if I had forgot that "left turn at Albuquerque" and ended up over seas. Now I know, and appreciate, the fact they were sniffing out illegals but I do wonder how much easier it would be to turn "Checkpoint Charlie" into a weapons check, etc (See? I got it on guns).

It also sparked a couple of questions for me to ponder.
1) Isn't glancing in vehicles for a moment profiling?
2)If it's okay for INS to profile at these checkpoints, why isn't it okay to profile at our airports?

I have to admit mixed feelings. On the one hand INS is trying to find illegals but OTOH the method really creeps me out and I wonder about theatrics.

[E.Marquez]

Common on many main corridors and near the MEX boarder. I've traveled though them many times... They seem to be pretty efficient so waste little of my time.. Are doing SOMETHING to rid this country of resource sucking illegal’s and sometimes I get a chuckle with the interaction...
My last name is Marquez.. but I’m a HINO (Hispanic in Name Only) Sir are you a citizen? Umm, yes, pretty sure,, No Yes I am. I only do this when it’s obvious I’m not an illegal.. like I hand them my DL, MIL ID, CHL, and am wearing my Uniform, driving my car with FEDERAL vehicle registration tags, and a required Rank insignia next to that tag..

Never had my ID ran, but if they do, they will find I have a clearance that exceeds theirs and a standard name line that will have positive hits in the CIA and FBI databases that say I’m likely not a illegal or terrorist.

[RSJ]

Some federal LEOs have authority to search within 100 miles of any border.