Border Security Practices

Re “Muslims Protest Border Check,” Dec. 30: I am a physician and longtime Southern California resident. I graduated from UCLA and USC and own my own home and medical practice. To celebrate New Year’s, my family and a few friends decided to head down to Ensenada, Mexico, for a three-day vacation.

We had a wonderful time in Mexico, but were aghast at the treatment we received upon reentering the U.S. When we finally reached the checkpoint at San Ysidro, after waiting for over an hour in the usual traffic jam, we were greeted by an officer of the Department of Homeland Security who, without looking at our passports or permanent resident cards, asked where we were born. He told us to pull over at the inspection area. It was 8 p.m. and we, along with our small children, were made to stand out in the cold for more than two hours while we were repeatedly questioned and made to fill out forms.

The two officers who dealt with us were rude, had very limited English language skills and did not explain why we were being questioned. There were no senior officers to whom we could appeal, and the other officers present refused to listen to us or help out in any way.

We were also prohibited from using our cellular phones. We were all born in India but have been long-term U.S. residents or citizens. I understand the need in the post-9/11 era to secure our borders, but wouldn’t a quick check of our vehicle registration or driver’s licenses or permanent resident cards have sufficed? Why the humiliation and harassment?

We have traveled extensively all over the world but have never been subjected to the kind of treatment that we received in what we consider “home.”

Soumitra Sarkar MD

Arcadia

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I am a naturalized American citizen, originally from Canada, and fly back and forth regularly to visit family and friends. Since 9/11 things have not been the same at the border crossing. Many times I have been searched and questioned carefully. Sometimes it is laughable -- because I am a female senior citizen and cannot understand their concern about innocent me.

However, I must tell you, that not once have I complained -- because I have nothing to hide, and the action at the border makes me feel safer, because the Homeland Security Border Protection is doing its job -- and I tell the officers as much. If those protesting Muslims have nothing to hide, what is the reason for their complaints?

Bette Hirsh Levy

Tarzana