Mental U.S. Immigration Officer

[Peaches]

My niece and her boyfriend just returned from a two week visit to the Rocky Mountains.  On arrival in Denver, niece's bf was asked to give a fingerprint.  The IO said to put his index finger of one hand on the reader, then the index finger of the other hand.  So BF did as he was told.  But the IO started screaming at him that he "didn't tell you to remove your finger yet, did I?!  Do you want to spend hours in a room being interrogated?"

What an asshole.  I'd have been asking for his supervisor immediately because he was clearly threatening, and I'd have been filing an official complaint.  American Immigration officers are the worst possible combination - low paying jobs with a little bit of power.

As an American, I find this behaviour incredibly embarrassing and utterly shameful.   

[cheryls]

I couldn't agree with you more. Twice coming into LAX I saw IO officers abusing their powers and made me embarrassed for anyone to think I would be associated with that behaviour just by being American.

[weesoul]

OMG!  What a total pr!ck!  I would complain, but it's probably pointless.  They seem to be able to behave any way they like.   

[steveg]

If I were that passenger I would have been sorely tempted to ask for the room with hours of interrogation - except that Paula would scalp me for doing it, as she would be anxious to see her family - I would insist that present in that room would be his supervisor and his reasons for treating a visitor to his country in such a way, especially one married to a US citizen, "oh and I'd like a lawyer present too" and maybe a representative of the British consulate as I may want to sue for his treatment

Wonder if they'd still want to go ahead then?

The actuality of it though is that I would be quiet and meek and keep my mouth shut so as not to give him reason to get any worse with us - Man or a mouse me?

Squeak Squeak!

Steve 

[Lotus Freak]

The actuality of it though is that I would be quiet and meek and keep my mouth shut so as not to give him reason to get any worse with us - Man or a mouse me?

Squeak Squeak!

Steve 

you wouldn't be the only one who would take the quiet road. Sometimes you have to pick and choose your fights and mindless IO whether they're American, British or Bulgarian just aren't worth the hassle.

Vicky, your niece's bf shouldn't have been treated in that way and I would be livid if someone treated my husband in that manner. Part of me would have been saying under my breath, ''Who the fcuk do you think you are?!'' The sad thing about it is you're right in saying that low pay and a wee bit of power do not mix and it doesn't help that these people have probably never flown out of the country to experience what it's like to be questioned by IO.

[cheryls]

I am not too sure about the low pay though. I had a friend who's parents both quit their jobs to train and become IO's and work for that Dept and they were doing pretty good but times may have changed since then.

Steve, you can create a hassle if you want but they can and may detain your for 72 hours. Not worth the hassle. I had one say something smart to me once and since I am an American Citizen I told him, "I don't know who Shite on your cornflakes buddie but it wasn't me" and all he could do was glare.

[Poppy]

DH got stopped in Chicago.  His finger prints didn't match from when he was finger printed before.

[Royalty]

DH got stopped in Chicago.  His finger prints didn't match from when he was finger printed before.

    What did they say?  Do?