Ken Schram: USA? or USSR?
SEATTLE -- It's an unfair comparison but I can't help making it.
With U.S. Border Patrol agents having set up 53 roadblocks at the Anacortes ferry terminal and on Highway 101 over on the Olympic Peninsula, I can't help but get the image of former Soviet Union operatives arbitrarily stopping people and demanding to "see their papers."
In the past 10 months, the Border Patrol has, by its own account, stopped over 24,000 vehicles and checked out about 42,000 passengers.
In that time, 81 undocumented immigrants have been taken into custody.
Nineteen people were also handed over to other law enforcement agencies for state crimes.
I'm trying to get my head around the idea that 42,000 American citizens were randomly selected and told they had to stop and submit to a search before they could go on about their business.
The Border Patrol says it is legally allowed to set up checkpoints and roadblocks within 100 miles of the U.S. border.
You draw the circle.
I get that agents are looking for terrorists and drug smugglers.
I get that they have a burdensome responsibility.
I get that they have a difficult job to do.
What I don't get is exactly when did we surrender our rights as Americans to move freely about our own country?
Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. Or, you can e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com
With U.S. Border Patrol agents having set up 53 roadblocks at the Anacortes ferry terminal and on Highway 101 over on the Olympic Peninsula, I can't help but get the image of former Soviet Union operatives arbitrarily stopping people and demanding to "see their papers."
In the past 10 months, the Border Patrol has, by its own account, stopped over 24,000 vehicles and checked out about 42,000 passengers.
In that time, 81 undocumented immigrants have been taken into custody.
Nineteen people were also handed over to other law enforcement agencies for state crimes.
I'm trying to get my head around the idea that 42,000 American citizens were randomly selected and told they had to stop and submit to a search before they could go on about their business.
The Border Patrol says it is legally allowed to set up checkpoints and roadblocks within 100 miles of the U.S. border.
You draw the circle.
I get that agents are looking for terrorists and drug smugglers.
I get that they have a burdensome responsibility.
I get that they have a difficult job to do.
What I don't get is exactly when did we surrender our rights as Americans to move freely about our own country?
Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. Or, you can e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com
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