Mark presented his green card and other appropriate documentation along with his
passport when it was our turn to have our documentation reviewed by the INS
agent in Minneapolis. I just handed over my passport which was scanned quickly
and easily. As an American, I was fine. But, there were questions for Mark… “How
long have you been out of the country?”  “Why?” These were not calmly asked
questions, but a forceful interrogation with an exceptionally accusatory tone.
Then the INS agent did something extremely patronizing. He asked Mark if he
could read… and then told him to read the first line of his green card.

Mark complied, but that’s when things started getting nasty. The INS agent said
Mark’s card was expired (Which is clearly wasn’t.) and threatened that “THEY”
(whoever “THEY might be!?) were going to take the card away from Mark. He raised
his voice said a bunch of things which were completely incorrect under the INS
law and then he stamped Mark in under a completely lawful green card entry which
seemed to invalidate everything he had previously said.

As an American, I am embarrassed by the INS agents behavior. I understand the
need for National Security after September 11th but this goes too far. As my
husband, Mark is completely entitled to enter and leave the USA and has done
nothing to deserve such harassment at the borders. I can only imagine what it’s
like to be someone from an “undesirable” place passing through US immigration
these days. I think it’s a horrible reflection on our nation and a terrible
first face to present to travelers and visitors.