This is fyi only.
Over the last weekend (Columbus day) 10/8 -10/11 I was up in VT doing a fall foliage tour/vacation with my wife and two other couples. We were on I-91 S returning back from the trip at about 3:30 PM. There was a road block by US Border Patrol. Every vehicle was supposed to stop like, at a stop sign.
In some cases the officer would come and ask some questions. I was one of them - probably my skin color prompted him to come to me.
I rolled down my window and he asked if we were citizens. No. I replied. He asked where we were from. India, I replied. He asked if could he could see our Green Card, Passport, Visa, or any other immigration document. I said I am a GC holder and I tried to find my Card in my Wallet. I could not find it. He asked the same questions to my wife and then individually to my friend and his wife. They said they have a Visa, but did not have it on them at that moment.
I offered to show my DL. He said, he did not want to see it - only immigration papers. At that I said, I do not understand his request as I am travelling within the country and I don't need immigration papers. He politely corrected me saying that unders US law XXXX and xxx, all non-citizens are required to carry valid immigration papers on person at all time. The penalty for not doing that is a $100 fine or 30 days jail or both. He then asked me, "you did not know that, did you?" I said no. He said he is not surprised. But he mentioned that he is surprised that a lot of people did not know this and do not carry required documents.
He then mentioned that he cannot fine me at that minute because he is waiting for the 'receipt book' to arrive and he did not expect it until late in the day. So for a moment, I thought he was going to detain us until such time... but to our relief, he said he have let us go.
This is the first time I have seen or experienced this in 7+ years of my residence in this country. I was calm and not nervous (probably b'coz I had my GC) but I can see how some of us might get very nervous and panic.
To my friends here. Make sure you carry some kind of immigration document with you all the time. GC, EAD, Passport, approval notice of VISA etc. to avoid any unnecessary delays and or pains.
.....R
Over the last weekend (Columbus day) 10/8 -10/11 I was up in VT doing a fall foliage tour/vacation with my wife and two other couples. We were on I-91 S returning back from the trip at about 3:30 PM. There was a road block by US Border Patrol. Every vehicle was supposed to stop like, at a stop sign.
In some cases the officer would come and ask some questions. I was one of them - probably my skin color prompted him to come to me.
I rolled down my window and he asked if we were citizens. No. I replied. He asked where we were from. India, I replied. He asked if could he could see our Green Card, Passport, Visa, or any other immigration document. I said I am a GC holder and I tried to find my Card in my Wallet. I could not find it. He asked the same questions to my wife and then individually to my friend and his wife. They said they have a Visa, but did not have it on them at that moment.
I offered to show my DL. He said, he did not want to see it - only immigration papers. At that I said, I do not understand his request as I am travelling within the country and I don't need immigration papers. He politely corrected me saying that unders US law XXXX and xxx, all non-citizens are required to carry valid immigration papers on person at all time. The penalty for not doing that is a $100 fine or 30 days jail or both. He then asked me, "you did not know that, did you?" I said no. He said he is not surprised. But he mentioned that he is surprised that a lot of people did not know this and do not carry required documents.
He then mentioned that he cannot fine me at that minute because he is waiting for the 'receipt book' to arrive and he did not expect it until late in the day. So for a moment, I thought he was going to detain us until such time... but to our relief, he said he have let us go.
This is the first time I have seen or experienced this in 7+ years of my residence in this country. I was calm and not nervous (probably b'coz I had my GC) but I can see how some of us might get very nervous and panic.
To my friends here. Make sure you carry some kind of immigration document with you all the time. GC, EAD, Passport, approval notice of VISA etc. to avoid any unnecessary delays and or pains.
.....R
