Journalist says a CBP officer withheld his passport until he agreed he writes 'propaganda'

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Washington Post




t took a moment for Ben Watson to realize the officer was not joking. Watson had just told the Customs and Border Protection staffer reviewing his passport that he works in journalism. Then, the seemingly routine Thursday encounter at the Washington Dulles International Airport got tense.

“So you write propaganda, right?” Watson, the news editor at the national security site Defense One, recalled the CBP officer asking. “No,” Watson says he replied. He affirmed again that he was journalist. The officer repeated his propaganda question, said Watson, who was returning from a reporting trip in Denmark. “With his tone, and he’s looking me in the eye — I very much realized this is not a joke,” Watson told The Washington Post on Friday. Watson said he got his passport back only after agreeing with the “propaganda” charge. The incident comes amid rising hostility faced by journalists as the Trump administration continues to attack the media as “fake news.”

Watson said he had heard a couple stories of similar encounters in the past, but said he did not realize until sharing his experience at the Dulles Airport on social media just how many people in his field were reporting the same brand of harassment. U.S. airport border agents were at the center of several incidents that have raised reporters’ concerns this year. “I’ve honestly never had a human attempt to provoke me like this before in my life,” Watson said he told his colleagues. “This behavior is totally normal now, I guess?”

Customs and Border Protection said in a statement that it is investigating the “alleged inappropriate conduct.”“We hold our employees accountable to our core values of vigilance, integrity and service to country, and do not tolerate inappropriate comments or behavior by our employees,” the agency said.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/10/04/journalist-says-cbp-officer-withheld-his-passport-until-he-agreed-he-writes-propaganda/

[Collimator]

1. Customs and Border should write the employee up.

That is the very least they should do. They could also assign him a shift buddy and a script that the agent would not be allowed to deviate from except in narrow circumstances.

No one should be allowed to treat an American citizen that way in an official capacity.

[yaesu]

2. that employee should immediately get the boot. nt

[Collimator]

3. Lovely thought.

However, firing a federal worker can be fraught with complications.

[Yeehah]

19. Not really

Federal workers are fired all the time.

[AZ8theist]

20. Fire his ass..

Sounds like this clown is enjoying his place in the New American Nazi Party a little too much.

[IronLionZion]

4. When some people get a little bit of power, they abuse it as much as they can

No, not all CBP officers, not all police officers, etc. but enough of those types go into that line of work because it gives them power over people. I've had a CBP employee (non-uniformed, unarmed) try to stop my family from scanning our US passports at the Global Entry kiosk arguing that there is no way we could have Global Entry.

Ben Watson

Ben Watson is news editor for Defense One. He previously worked for NPR’s “All Things Considered” and “Here and Now” in Washington, D.C. Watson served for five years in the U.S. Army, where he was an award-winning combat cameraman and media advisor for southern Afghanistan’s special operations command during the 2010-11 surge.
https://www.defenseone.com/voices/ben-watson/8338/?oref=d-article-author/

[Miguelito Loveless]

5. I no longer make any distinction in law enforcement behaviour

because while the majority probably won’t break the law, they do know who the lawbreakers are, and are prepared to remain silent about them.

[Jedi Guy]

6. So all people of a given group are defined by the behavior of its worst members? N/T

[canuckledragger]

7. If nobody else in that group steps up to do something about the worst members

Then the answer is yes. The others in that group become enablers.

[flibbitygiblets]

8. You just described the tRump administration

[MarcA]

9. Absolutely. Power Freaks shouldn't be given a pass in any situation. n/t

[Jedi Guy]

14. Unfortunately, life isn't always that simple.

I may suspect that another person in my group has done something wrong, but without proof, I may be reluctant to say/do something about it. I'd agree that if I do have proof and do nothing, then I'm enabling the behavior. Or if I lie to allow the perpetrator to escape punishment, then I'm complicit in the behavior.

The thought process that Miguelito is talking about, though, is the sort of broad-brush and lazy thought process that underpins racism, even though LEOs aren't a racial group. Some cops may lie to cover up for their fellow officers, yes. Others may not. To say that all of them are guilty because some of them do it is just wrong, in my opinion. It's like judging all black people by the actions of some black people, or judging all women by the actions of some women.

As a for instance, think back to the cops that were asked to leave the Starbucks in Arizona because they made a patron "uncomfortable." If I had been mugged at some point by a black man, and I asked the barista to ask a black male patron to leave the store because his presence made me "uncomfortable," that would be wrong and unacceptable. Why is the one any different from the other, apart from the fact that cops aren't a racial group?

[JonLP24]

28. The cops made a big deal out of it

A lot of people said it was unacceptable. There was anger at the barista. The cops got the outrage they wanted.

It isn't a good idea in general to compare racism to cops since cops uphold institutionalized racism.

[Jedi Guy]

29. The thought process is identical. Because some X are Y, therefore all X are Y.

It's lazy, broad-brush thinking, no matter which group it's directed at. With regard to cops, I judge each one by his/her actions, not by the actions of all those who wear the uniform, and I believe they do far more good than harm. It's just that the latter gets far more attention, while the former goes mostly unnoticed.

[duhneece]

37. Thank you

Great explanation s

[Jedi Guy]

49. Thank you. It's refreshing to know that someone understands! N/T

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

16. Exactly.

The phrase is: A few spoiled apples spoils the bunch.

Back in the Bush administration, Rumsfield famously said it was just "a few bad apples" that caused the atrocities at Abu Garib, but he left out the last part.

With authoritative organizations, when there's a 'blue wall' protecting officers who commit atrocities, it makes the whole damn thing corrupt. For protecting the corrupt officers. For covering up crimes. For looking the other way, even.

[Jedi Guy]

30. So it's your belief, then, that all cops are corrupt? N/T

[GoneOffShore]

13. Well, we are talking about CBP agents, so yes.

[Jedi Guy]

15. So because this CBP agent was an asshole, all CBP agents are assholes? N/T

[GoneOffShore]

22. Well, yes, they are.

In over 40 years of traveling internationally, I can count on the fingers of one hand without the thumb how many I have encountered who have not been complete and utter arseholes.

I have yet to land in NYC or Philadelphia or Miami or Dulles or Newark and be greeted as a citizen returning home. They exhibit the same suspicion and lack of courtesy when driving across the border from Canada. The reason we have Global Entry is so that we don't have to talk or interact with people who are on an obvious power trip and get off on harassing people.

Now that we've settled in France I'm hoping that except for one or two trips I will never have to enter the US again. CBP and TSA make travel to and from, and in, the US an experience that is to be avoided.

[JonLP24]

27. Inside the Secret Border Patrol Facebook Group Where Agents Joke About Migrant Deaths and Post Sexis

Members of a secret Facebook group for current and former Border Patrol agents joked about the deaths of migrants, discussed throwing burritos at Latino members of Congress visiting a detention facility in Texas on Monday and posted a vulgar illustration depicting Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez engaged in oral sex with a detained migrant, according to screenshots of their postings.

(snip)

The postings, in his view, reflect what “seems to be a pervasive culture of cruelty aimed at immigrants within CBP. This isn’t just a few rogue agents or ‘bad apples.’”

(snip)

Vicki Gaubeca, director of the Southern Border Communities Coalition, said the postings are more evidence of the sexism and misogyny that has long plagued the Border Patrol. “That’s why they’re the worst at recruiting women,” said Gaubeca, whose group works to reform the agency. “They have the lowest percentage of female agents or officers of any federal law enforcement agency.”

https://www.propublica.org/article/secret-border-patrol-facebook-group-agents-joke-about-migrant-deaths-post-sexist-memes

[JonLP24]

26. Blue wall of Silence

Police Unions fought to give them legal protections that we don't enjoy as civilians.

When cops do speak up they are reprimanded.

Lt. Andrew Smith and Sgt. Pat King, members of the Violent Offenders Task Force - which works with the FBI, Department of Public Safety and St. Paul Police Department forming the Safe Streets Task Force - are accusing the Minneapolis Police Department of demoting them for leading an investigation against a fellow officer who was convicted of public corruption and tax evasion .

Because of the nature of the investigation, Minneapolis Police Chief Timothy Dolan sent a letter to the officers essentially foreshadowing the harassment by stating: "I am aware that there is potential for retaliation towards you as the result of the investigation." And, indeed, both officers did experience harassment from fellow officers.

As part of the officers' demotions, neither is able to work overtime. Lt. Smith was transferred to the juvenile unit and Sgt. King was transferred to the licensing division.

"GO-TO GUYS"

https://www.patrickburnslaw.com/Articles/Real-Estate-Articles/Two-Minneapolis-Police-Officers-Face-Retaliation-for-Doing-Their-Jobs.shtml

I can find so many examples of this. It's called Riding the Boat or the desk at the Pawn Shop Unit.

[Jedi Guy]

31. Okay, so? That proves that some cops are corrupt, not that all cops are corrupt.

I can find so many examples of officers helping people, in some cases going way beyond what's reasonably expected of them. The difference between us is that I don't take those instances and say that all cops are equally wonderful, whereas you take the worst examples and assert that all cops are equally bad. Reality is just a little bit more nuanced than that.

[Miguelito Loveless]

34. Again, if you know who the worst members are

and remain silent, you are equally guilty. So called “good cops” know who the bad cops are, but do not speak against them. I am a tired of the “one bad apple” defense. One bad apple inevitably transfers the rot to all the apples in the barrel. I have had cops look me in the eye and lie to my face about criminal misconduct (DAs too). I have had them do it while on the desk in front of them was evidence that totally contradicted their lies.

The police, as an institution, lie, steal, and murder every day in this country. How many times do we have to catch them red-handed before we stop giving them the benefit of a doubt?

I used to hang at a gym years ago frequented by the local constabulary. One day i overheard two veteran talking to a rookie and giving him the benefit of their “wisdom”.

“There are two kinds of people in the world: cops and perps.”

Greatly annoyed, I stuck my head around the corner and said, “The way I see it, there are two types of criminals in the world: those with badges, and those without.”

I then got a lecture about how I had no appreciation for how hard their job was, and I would sing a different tune when I was robbed or assaulted, or some one I loved was raped, or murdered. I had an answer for that, but as one of them was looking as though he was contemplating violence I let it pass, and started going to a different gym.

[Jedi Guy]

36. And then everyone in the gym started clapping, right?

Regarding your tale, I'll take "Things that never happened" for $500, Alex. But I'll pretend for a moment that that did happen. Let me make sure I understand you. Two cops, once upon a time, said something objectionable, therefore that's a thing that they all believe? I'm sorry, but that's ridiculous. It's the exact same "logic" the right-wingers use regarding Muslims.

[Miguelito Loveless]

38. Oh, so you call me a liar?

Well, thank you very much for making that clear.

I have had multiple experiences with policeman behaving badly, up to and including the death of my mother, but I will not waste time with someone prepared to insinuate I am a liar just because ad hominem attacks are their preferred style of dealing with people they disagree with.

You don’t know me, and you have no idea the pain the police have caused me and my family over 40+ years.

[Jedi Guy]

41. I'm inclined to doubt, since that comes across like, "And THEN I put him in his place!"

I'm sorry that you've had multiple experiences with police behaving badly, and I'm sorry that they've caused you and your family pain. But ponder this for a moment. If I said, "I've had multiple bad experiences with black people over the years, and that's why I dislike them," you would call me a racist, and you'd be correct. That attitude is assuming that the behavior of some black people is representative of the behavior of all black people. Your thought process regarding police is exactly the same.

I've had different experiences with police. I've worked with them (as a dispatcher) and gotten to know them. I've known officers who left six-figure-salary jobs because they wanted to make a difference and help their communities. I've known officers who put themselves in harm's way to protect people. I've also encountered officers who pulled me over for speeding, then sat me down on the curb while they tore my car apart looking for non-existent drugs.

Your experiences are bad, and you seem to assert that all police are suspect and/or corrupt. My experiences are more good than bad, but I don't assert that all police are wonderful people; I recognize that bad cops are a thing. Do you see the difference there?

[GoneOffShore]

42. The difference between police and criminals(particularly in the US)? Uniforms and badges.

And it's been that way for a long time.

[Jedi Guy]

43. If you say so. You're wrong, but you're welcome to say so. N/T

[Miguelito Loveless]

45. Yep,

How often are the police punished for clear cut, obvious, criminal acts against the poor and non-whites, versus poor and non-whites being punished for crimes they did not commit?

[Miguelito Loveless]

44. You are equating criticism of endemic police abuse of power to racism?

The mind boggles.

My day to day experiences with the police have been pretty much trouble free. Of course, as I am white, that is hardly surprising. My in-depth experiences as a victim of crime (sexual assault at age 12, robbery in my 20s, and the death of my mother at the hands of a police detective in my 30s) has been another experience entirely.

But please, explain to me how institutionalized, decades long, abuse of power by law enforcement towards poor and minority citizens is like racism.

[Jedi Guy]

46. I already explained it to you. Maybe try reading for comprehension? N/T

[Miguelito Loveless]

47. Ah, more insults.

I think we’re done.

[Jedi Guy]

48. If you perceived that as an insult, I don't really know what to tell you.

I made my point and its explanation quite clear in a few different posts, and then you asked me to explain it. Clearly you didn't read what I wrote, so I invited you to do so. If you feel insulted as a result, I don't particularly think that's my fault.

[GoneOffShore]

50. Everyone has read what you wrote. And it looks like you'll defend the police and CBP

Until they knock down your door or hold you up for three hours at the border.

'But I've got nothing to hide! Of course they can search my car! They're the police/good guys etc, etc.'

[Jedi Guy]

51. It appears you'd also benefit from reading for comprehension, GoneOffShore.

"Your experiences are bad, and you seem to assert that all police are suspect and/or corrupt. My experiences are more good than bad, but I don't assert that all police are wonderful people; I recognize that bad cops are a thing. Do you see the difference there?"

From a post slightly upthread in response to Miguelito. Kindly do not put words in my mouth, especially when you didn't trouble to read what I wrote to begin with. Thanks very much.

[GoneOffShore]

53. I read what you wrote. And you're defending the police.

[Jedi Guy]

55. From absurd assertions that they're all corrupt or evil? Damn right I am. N/T

[Miguelito Loveless]

52. First you insinuate I am a liar,

them you question my ability to read.

Yeah, we are done.

[Jedi Guy]

56. Okay, so...

1) You asserted something; I expressed doubt in your assertion. I don't owe you unquestioning belief.

2) I explained it to you. In a subsequent post, you asked me to explain it to you. From that I can only conclude that, a) you didn't read my post, or b) you didn't understand my post.

[Miguelito Loveless]

57. True

You don’t owe me unquestioning belief, however, simply asking me for more details of my story politely, rather than insinuating I am a liar, would have been more conducive to a civil exchange of opinions.

In your second response, you again cast aspersions, this time on my reading comprehension.

I, on the other hand, contested your refutation. At no time did I call into question your integrity or intelligence. My sharp words were directed at an institution with a long and storied history of racism, deceit, abuse of power, and violence up to, and including, murder. My counters to your objections, were just that, rebuttals of your statements, not personal attacks on you.

For reasons known only to yourself, you failed to, or refused to, extend me that same courtesy.

[atreides1]

35. What's that old saying, about a rotten apple?

A rotten apple spoils the (whole) barrel

1. Proverb It only takes one bad person, thing, element, etc., to ruin the entire group, situation, project, etc. Refers to the fact that a rotting apple can cause other apples in close proximity to begin to rot as well.

2. Proverb The criminal, unethical, corrupt, or otherwise negative behavior of a single person will spread to other people around them.


Every time a police officer shoots an unarmed victim, they circle the wagons, and wrong or right doesn't matter, all that matters is to protect their own...

The CBP isn't any different...it's an organization that has produced, rapists, serial killers, drug runners and human traffickers...and many CBP agents probably looked the other way...because no matter what Charlie did, he was one of them...

The moment when law enforcement doesn't enforce the law on one of its own, that's when the rot from within takes hold...and once it begins there is no stopping it!!!

[Miguelito Loveless]

39. Exactly.

And there has been more than enough evidence in the last two years to prove that law enforcement corruption is systemic and getting worse.

[GoneOffShore]

10. This is yet another reason to have Global Entry.

Even though one can get stopped, it doesn't happen that much. No interaction with the authoritarian assholes who are CBP agents.

This behaviour has been on the increase for more than 40 years.

[IronLionZion]

11. Agreed, this is one area where automation needs to kill more jobs

The kiosks don't discriminate, they just scan the passport and fingerprints and then I'm on my way. Most of the time the uniformed officers don't say anything. Totally worth the cost.

[obamanut2012]

24. Agreed -- and it doesn't even cost that much n/t

[a la izquierda]

40. I got detained in Ireland by US immigration.

I've had global entry for 4 years. Didn't matter. The agent nearly made me miss my flight.
All of this because I'm a historian of Mexico and I have a Bolivian visa in my passport. They're gonna shit when they see my German visa. Hopefully by the time I return in December I'll be on my way to an Irish passport.

I've been stopped an questioned other times as well, usually when returning from Latin America. I'll renew it next year because 7/10 times I waltz right in. But I've been experiencing increasing stops and hostility.

[mountain grammy]

12. CBP in Gestapo training.

[BlueIdaho]

17. This Fascist

Needs to go.

[Hotler]

18. Fascism creeps in step by step not overnight.

They're pushing to see how much they can get away with before we push back. I'm worried, I see no will in the American people to fight back. This country should be boiling in protest. There were 3-4 million people at the Washington Mall for Obama's inauguration, there should be at least that if not twice more there now screaming for the tRumps removal.

[Marthe48]

21. The brown shirt needs to be fired

be ineligible for unemployment, no recourse to grievance or lawsuits, and denied retirement or benefits. Let him understand what he supports in the line of governance.

[Dave Starsky]

23. God, I cannot tell you how much I can't stand those US CBP assholes.

Whenever my wife and I travel back and forth to the US, we are always amazed at how polite and professional the foreign customs agents are, compared to the universally churlish dicks on the US side.
.

[yellowcanine]

25. Are these interactions videotaped or audio recorded?

If so it should be a slam dunk to nail this rogue agent.

[LuckyLib]

32. I'm surprised that this guy didn't ask to speak to

a supervisor. I have friends who would have been right up in his face. But you’re exhausted from a long flight and just want to get home.

[Progressive Jones]

33. Right wing infestation of CBP. nt

[Blue_Tires]

54. Fascism alert....