Fixated on govt workers overstepping their boundaries

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Federal employees live with lots of guidelines on what they can and cannot do especially dealing with the public. What seems excessive to you might be required by their office.

No, I swear I was the only one among many I asked about it who was asked questions beyond what was in my application and prep materials. I would understand clarifying what was in the application but not asking me if I fully understand a theoretical concept and asking me to explain it.
Imagine trying to pass an algebra exam and being asked a physics question. And then when you can’t answer you are asked to read the definition out loud. Yes it is vaguely relevant I guess but it is just beyond the scope of the curriculum.
Happened to me, happened to my loved one when I was there to witness.
They didn’t “fail” us but it did feel like they were flexing on us.
I know many people don’t even notice so I want to let it go and move on, too. But I can’t, at least not yet.

There could have been something in your application that raised a question, or you could have been randomly selected for extra screening, or you could have gotten a particularly zealous officer. Or you could have been targeted, I'm not saying that's impossible. But most people are just trying to get through their day.

These officers usually have large caseload, they encounter fraud and incomplete paperwork all the time, and they can be fired for letting something through that they shouldn't. That doesn't excuse rudeness but might help you imagine their perspective.

They aren’t rude, and the questions I mention aren’t about the application. Zealous is probably the case. Why do they feel they can be zealous with me?! Ask me what should be asked (civic and application/bf questions) and let me be!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don’t like our government, you can go to the competition instead.

Bye.

It’s not the government
It’s the people who were immigrants once too (judging by their accents), and some people who are native born Americans but are from a protected class so they are supposed to be somewhat compassionate?! Weren’t they being oppressed?

Yes there are black people asking you questions on behalf of the government, no, they are not having fun or having a power trip when asking you questions, they are doing their jobs. No, they are not going to let things "get by" because of you made up assumption that they hate the U.S. seemingly as much as you do, no they do not feel "oppressed", they helped build this country and are thriving in it.

There are questions and then there are other questions.
I am not saying ONLY a certain group can be on power trips, I am just surprised when someone who was once a target now makes others one.

Who was once a target? You are making up scenarios about what people have experienced, you don't know what an individual has gone through. Also, even if the individual has been through someone they are not going to collude with you to betray the U.S. by committing fraud--do foreigners expect this of African Americans? We are now your servants in accomplishment your using the U.S. for your purpose and we have to do this because of the oppression Olympics? Do we need to start setting ourselves on fire to show our loyalty?

Not sure what you are talking about. I am not talking about perfectly reasonable background check or application questions. I am talking about things that are not on the application, not part of my bg check, and not part of the civics 100 questions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi you are a visitor, be greatful to be here

The latest case in point was a visitor once too

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi you are a visitor, be greatful to be here

The latest case in point was a visitor once too

What makes you think that?
But regardless, we are not tribal here, we do nit do favors or break the law because someone looks like us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don’t like our government, you can go to the competition instead.

Bye.

It’s not the government
It’s the people who were immigrants once too (judging by their accents), and some people who are native born Americans but are from a protected class so they are supposed to be somewhat compassionate?! Weren’t they being oppressed?

Yes there are black people asking you questions on behalf of the government, no, they are not having fun or having a power trip when asking you questions, they are doing their jobs. No, they are not going to let things "get by" because of you made up assumption that they hate the U.S. seemingly as much as you do, no they do not feel "oppressed", they helped build this country and are thriving in it.

There are questions and then there are other questions.
I am not saying ONLY a certain group can be on power trips, I am just surprised when someone who was once a target now makes others one.

Who was once a target? You are making up scenarios about what people have experienced, you don't know what an individual has gone through. Also, even if the individual has been through someone they are not going to collude with you to betray the U.S. by committing fraud--do foreigners expect this of African Americans? We are now your servants in accomplishment your using the U.S. for your purpose and we have to do this because of the oppression Olympics? Do we need to start setting ourselves on fire to show our loyalty?

Not sure what you are talking about. I am not talking about perfectly reasonable background check or application questions. I am talking about things that are not on the application, not part of my bg check, and not part of the civics 100 questions.

Black people in the U.S. are:
-not here to do you special favors or to treat you extra nicely because they are supposed to feel unloyal to the United States for some reason
-not walking around feeling oppressed
-not obligated to have a special concern for everyone around the world who feel oppressed in their situations

[Anonymous]

Here is another example. I step in front of the global entry kiosk. The employee there feels the need to tell me I won’t need my documents just the biometrics. Sure enough the machine scans my face and asks for my document. The employee thinks there is something wrong (even though it’s apparently part of the process) and starts asking if I even have global entry and asks me to show my card (mind you, no need for the card when crossing by air but ok). Then she scans the wrong document and I am summoned to an immigration officer who tells me I scanned the wrong document. Why so much fuss around me?!
I know I should just let it go but it irks me and keeps building up and I want to process it and move on!
So thanks for helping me

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Federal employees live with lots of guidelines on what they can and cannot do especially dealing with the public. What seems excessive to you might be required by their office.

No, I swear I was the only one among many I asked about it who was asked questions beyond what was in my application and prep materials. I would understand clarifying what was in the application but not asking me if I fully understand a theoretical concept and asking me to explain it.
Imagine trying to pass an algebra exam and being asked a physics question. And then when you can’t answer you are asked to read the definition out loud. Yes it is vaguely relevant I guess but it is just beyond the scope of the curriculum.
Happened to me, happened to my loved one when I was there to witness.
They didn’t “fail” us but it did feel like they were flexing on us.
I know many people don’t even notice so I want to let it go and move on, too. But I can’t, at least not yet.

My DH is an immigrant and when we were applying together for his citizenship with me being his sponsor for his green card we had been warned by others who had done the process before us to bring lots of photos, videos, to know how each other took their eggs and coffee, etc. So we showed up with all this stuff scared to death. I think it depends on who you get over there because this guy looked at our wedding album for less than a minute and says ok, looks legit. Didn't even ask any other questions.

Now if you have to get a permit from DCRA, that's an entirely different story. Good luck getting it in your lifetime.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don’t like our government, you can go to the competition instead.

Bye.

It’s not the government
It’s the people who were immigrants once too (judging by their accents), and some people who are native born Americans but are from a protected class so they are supposed to be somewhat compassionate?! Weren’t they being oppressed?

Yes there are black people asking you questions on behalf of the government, no, they are not having fun or having a power trip when asking you questions, they are doing their jobs. No, they are not going to let things "get by" because of you made up assumption that they hate the U.S. seemingly as much as you do, no they do not feel "oppressed", they helped build this country and are thriving in it.

There are questions and then there are other questions.
I am not saying ONLY a certain group can be on power trips, I am just surprised when someone who was once a target now makes others one.

Who was once a target? You are making up scenarios about what people have experienced, you don't know what an individual has gone through. Also, even if the individual has been through someone they are not going to collude with you to betray the U.S. by committing fraud--do foreigners expect this of African Americans? We are now your servants in accomplishment your using the U.S. for your purpose and we have to do this because of the oppression Olympics? Do we need to start setting ourselves on fire to show our loyalty?

Not sure what you are talking about. I am not talking about perfectly reasonable background check or application questions. I am talking about things that are not on the application, not part of my bg check, and not part of the civics 100 questions.

Black people in the U.S. are:
-not here to do you special favors or to treat you extra nicely because they are supposed to feel unloyal to the United States for some reason
-not walking around feeling oppressed
-not obligated to have a special concern for everyone around the world who feel oppressed in their situations

To add, African American descendants of slaves are not immigrants or descendants of immigrants--we nor our ancestors have never been "visitors". We are not the same as African immigrants. There is a difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you don’t like our government, you can go to the competition instead.

Bye.

You have clearly never dealt with a government worker dealing with immigration. They are on a power trip and needlessly rude. And people like you enable to treat people like animals. Shame on you.

You do realize some of the immigrants have been through hell on earth only to come here and deal with people like you. I wish that you'd experience the same one day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi you are a visitor, be greatful to be here

The latest case in point was a visitor once too

What makes you think that?
But regardless, we are not tribal here, we do nit do favors or break the law because someone looks like us.

He had an accent (he wasn’t AA to be clear)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don’t like our government, you can go to the competition instead.

Bye.

It’s not the government
It’s the people who were immigrants once too (judging by their accents), and some people who are native born Americans but are from a protected class so they are supposed to be somewhat compassionate?! Weren’t they being oppressed?

Yes there are black people asking you questions on behalf of the government, no, they are not having fun or having a power trip when asking you questions, they are doing their jobs. No, they are not going to let things "get by" because of you made up assumption that they hate the U.S. seemingly as much as you do, no they do not feel "oppressed", they helped build this country and are thriving in it.

There are questions and then there are other questions.
I am not saying ONLY a certain group can be on power trips, I am just surprised when someone who was once a target now makes others one.

Who was once a target? You are making up scenarios about what people have experienced, you don't know what an individual has gone through. Also, even if the individual has been through someone they are not going to collude with you to betray the U.S. by committing fraud--do foreigners expect this of African Americans? We are now your servants in accomplishment your using the U.S. for your purpose and we have to do this because of the oppression Olympics? Do we need to start setting ourselves on fire to show our loyalty?

Not sure what you are talking about. I am not talking about perfectly reasonable background check or application questions. I am talking about things that are not on the application, not part of my bg check, and not part of the civics 100 questions.

Black people in the U.S. are:
-not here to do you special favors or to treat you extra nicely because they are supposed to feel unloyal to the United States for some reason
-not walking around feeling oppressed
-not obligated to have a special concern for everyone around the world who feel oppressed in their situations

To add, African American descendants of slaves are not immigrants or descendants of immigrants--we nor our ancestors have never been "visitors". We are not the same as African immigrants. There is a difference.

I know. I wasn’t talking about a black officer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Forgive me if I used the wrong definition but it bothers me beyond normal and I want to get it out.
I am normal enough to not obsess about it with my friends but I keep thinking about it.
I’ve recently and not so recently been in situations where I had to deal with government in one shape or form or another.
Almost every time I felt like the govt worker was flexing on me or my loved one.
Examples include asking questions that aren’t within the normal range (and I just rolled with it because they were in a position of power); asking for extra documents; being thorough to the point where it seemed pedantic.

To be honest it’s mostly immigration related (which I guess is a privilege?) but it just grates on me.
Please talk some sense into me. I don’t want to snap at an unfortunate moment.

I realize it sounds a bit crazy but maybe someone will relate.

The constant here is you.

If you mean immigrants navigating the system, then yes. This is in no way unique to OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don’t like our government, you can go to the competition instead.

Bye.

It’s not the government
It’s the people who were immigrants once too (judging by their accents), and some people who are native born Americans but are from a protected class so they are supposed to be somewhat compassionate?! Weren’t they being oppressed?

Yes there are black people asking you questions on behalf of the government, no, they are not having fun or having a power trip when asking you questions, they are doing their jobs. No, they are not going to let things "get by" because of you made up assumption that they hate the U.S. seemingly as much as you do, no they do not feel "oppressed", they helped build this country and are thriving in it.

There are questions and then there are other questions.
I am not saying ONLY a certain group can be on power trips, I am just surprised when someone who was once a target now makes others one.

Who was once a target? You are making up scenarios about what people have experienced, you don't know what an individual has gone through. Also, even if the individual has been through someone they are not going to collude with you to betray the U.S. by committing fraud--do foreigners expect this of African Americans? We are now your servants in accomplishment your using the U.S. for your purpose and we have to do this because of the oppression Olympics? Do we need to start setting ourselves on fire to show our loyalty?

Not sure what you are talking about. I am not talking about perfectly reasonable background check or application questions. I am talking about things that are not on the application, not part of my bg check, and not part of the civics 100 questions.

Black people in the U.S. are:
-not here to do you special favors or to treat you extra nicely because they are supposed to feel unloyal to the United States for some reason
-not walking around feeling oppressed
-not obligated to have a special concern for everyone around the world who feel oppressed in their situations

No one is asking for favors. Ask me what is on the script and let me be or deny me. This is all. No need to be extra zealous (even though the zealous one wasn’t an AA)

[Anonymous]

OP here, I regret I couldn’t avoid the race thing.
To be clear, most people with the “zealous” attitude weren’t AA or black in general. I am just saying I would expect the attitude from someone who is usually deemed “privileged”, but they were the most compassionate in fact (not just in immigration but in other areas).
I am just surprised how people with accents, or people from historically oppressed groups, now seem to be heck bent on giving a hard a time to people in whose shoes they or their ancestors once were.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Federal employees live with lots of guidelines on what they can and cannot do especially dealing with the public. What seems excessive to you might be required by their office.

No, I swear I was the only one among many I asked about it who was asked questions beyond what was in my application and prep materials. I would understand clarifying what was in the application but not asking me if I fully understand a theoretical concept and asking me to explain it.
Imagine trying to pass an algebra exam and being asked a physics question. And then when you can’t answer you are asked to read the definition out loud. Yes it is vaguely relevant I guess but it is just beyond the scope of the curriculum.
Happened to me, happened to my loved one when I was there to witness.
They didn’t “fail” us but it did feel like they were flexing on us.
I know many people don’t even notice so I want to let it go and move on, too. But I can’t, at least not yet.

There could have been something in your application that raised a question, or you could have been randomly selected for extra screening, or you could have gotten a particularly zealous officer. Or you could have been targeted, I'm not saying that's impossible. But most people are just trying to get through their day.

These officers usually have large caseload, they encounter fraud and incomplete paperwork all the time, and they can be fired for letting something through that they shouldn't. That doesn't excuse rudeness but might help you imagine their perspective.

They aren’t rude, and the questions I mention aren’t about the application. Zealous is probably the case. Why do they feel they can be zealous with me?! Ask me what should be asked (civic and application/bf questions) and let me be!

How do you know? Have you been through the process? Some of them are a 100% rude just because they know immigrants have no recourse and like so many of the posters here just wish us to "go back to where we came from."

Here is just one interaction I had a while back with am immigration officer. I landed in DC from an international trip, presented them with a document they issued to me not even a month before and the officer immediately got irate because "it looked fake." Sure, it looked like a 3rd grader slapped my picture on a document, but that is what THEY issued to me. They put me in a room in the middle of the airport and proceeded to question me for 2 hours. I did absolutely nothing wrong. I answered all of their questions and the more he realized he didn't have anything against me the more visibly angry he got. I politely told him that I had a connecting flight that I would likely miss he smiled and said "shit happens baby." I missed my flight and they let me know because I was a 100% legit and it was a government-issued document. Their ignorance caused me a pretty significant inconvenience.

I get being diligent. I get that he needed to verify that my documents were real. I don't get the "shit happens baby." He only spoke to me that way because he knew I had zero recourse.