American

Border Officials Target American Citizens in Money Scheme

American Citizens are being detained at the southern border and fined up to $5,000 just for trying to go home. Many American cities on the southern border tend to have a sister city on the Mexico side. Americans for generations have driven to these cities to shop, vacation, or even visit friends. 

Now, however, under Biden’s Border policies, it is these American citizens who are being detained and fined thousands of dollars instead of actual illegal immigrants, human traffickers, and Drug runners. 

It can be as simple as getting into the wrong lane of traffic while entering from Tijuana which will have the border crossing officials swooping down on you. Especially, if you’re an American.

Unfortunately, this has happened repeatedly to U.S. residents who unknowingly got into an express lane, known as the Sentri lane. According to local KTTV-TV, the express lane allows for pre-approved entry into the U.S. at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.

When Americans enter the Sentri lane unauthorized they risk getting fined, threatened with having their car impounded, and in more cases. then is comfortable, people are chained to a bench as they are detained.

“They say, ‘Yep, we’re gonna take your car or we’re gonna fine you $5,000’ for what amounts to being in the wrong lane of traffic,” according to lawyer John Manley. Manley and his law firm have handled many of these cases.

The lawyer made it clear that US Border agents mainly target U.S. citizens.

“I had never been humiliated in my life the way I was humiliated that afternoon,” said Ana Salazar of Pasadena, California. Her only crime is being in the wrong lane of traffic.

“They shackled me to this metal bench as I waited for three hours,” said Rose of Burbank, California.

Bernardo Montenegro of Fontana, California, explained, “We just got into the wrong lane. We didn’t do anything else wrong but get into the wrong lane.” His wife, Patricia Caro, said, “They were telling him that they wouldn’t release our vehicle without us paying $5,000.”

The worst part of this whole situation is that. American Citizens are set up to take the fall in these cases. There are no clear signs stating the express lanes. exclusivity. In fact, signage at the border is unclear on a lot of things making the confusing roundabouts, Border Patrol Booths, and excessive signage that rarely gives clear directions all the more confusing. On top of all that GPS navigation directs drivers to the express lane!

Officials of Customs and Border Protection claim that fines for unauthorized use of the Sentri lane are only imposed upon a third violation.

But individuals interviewed by local news station KTTV said they never received a warning. In fact, being responsible citizens they flagged CBP agents to tell them of their error before reaching the border checkpoint.

Salazar thinks the operation is just a fundraising scheme. Much like the speed traps in small-town movies, the border patrol is using this excuse to squeeze out funds from Americans. 

“When I was in the office waiting, one of the agents came in and he shouted at everyone else in the office, ‘Oh, we got another $5K,’” she said. “So I just thought to myself, ‘Oh, this is just a business.’”

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