I Flew From Minnesota To Arizona + Had My First Border Patrol Checkpoint

I've seen border patrol vehicles all around Duluth for years. We are North America's furthest inland port, and we also are not far near the Canadian border. Still, I've never been stopped by the border patrol here in the Land Of 10,000 Lakes. To be honest with you, I've never even given it a second thought.

Border Security Front Page News

With Trump in office again and the focus on securing our borders on the front page, it was an interesting time to be near the US-Mexico border. I flew out to visit some family that was wintering in Yuma, Arizona. It's a state I've never been too, and it was the closest I've ever been to Mexico. In fact, there were a few times I could actually see the border wall off in the distance.

Border Patrol Checkpoint Was Nowhere Near The Border

I guess I wrongly assumed that the border patrol stays pretty close to the border. I was at least 30-40 miles north of the Mexico border, driving my rental car when I noticed a checkpoint coming up. To me, it looked kind of like a truck stop we have around here for the state patrol to inspect semi-trailers.

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As I got closer, signs said to be prepared to stop for a Border Patrol checkpoint. I had nothing to hide, but I still was curious about what awaited me. Was my car going to be searched or would my ID be checked?

I rolled to a stop and saw the Border Patrol Agent, wearing his green uniform with his Kevlar vest on.

It took just seconds.

The Border Patrol agent said good morning to me and asked if I was a US Citizen. I replied with Yes, and he said have a nice day. That was it. I didn't even have my ID checked. This border patrol checkpoint was in the middle of nowhere.

Read More: Say Goodbye To Dead Zones In Minnesota With Satellite Mode

Also, if the Border Patrol checkpoints are on the map, wouldn't bad actors know to avoid them?