[LovesMacs]

Here is an example. A couple of years ago I visited the southwest USA, in and around El Paso, Texas. I had left El Paso on the way to Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Some 60-70 miles (about 96-112 km) away from the US-Mexico border all traffic on the highway I was using was diverted for inspection by border patrol agents. An armed agent politely but intently asked me and my family where we were from, what our purpose was, etc. as another armed agent with a dog walked around our car and other agents looked on. Nothing was out of order and we were on our way after several minutes. Nonetheless it was somewhat intimidating and completely unexpected so far from the Mexican border.

I would be less willing to travel in border areas if such a policy were enacted.