US Customs and Border Protection - Inspection Facility — Attraction in Detroit

I was here sometime in 2016. It was my first time entering from this location then, and before I got to the this booth, which I later know is the CBP booth, I was already stopped by some other officers like standing about 100 feet or so from the booth. They searched my car a little, and let me go. So when I got to the booth, I naturally thought, this must be the toll booth. It was close to 7pm at night and was starting to get dark (this happened in Nov), I wasn't looking for a badge or anything specifically, and I simply asked "Is it 6.50?". The person, who I later realized is the officer, looked at me confused and I repeated my question. He then asked if I am trying to bribe him. I explained myself and told him I didn't realize he is still part of customs and I thought it is the toll booth. At his location, he definitely can still see those people standing not far away who already did a simple searched on my vehicle, but he pressed on and sent me to the long line. Now, I don't have an issue with people doing their jobs, but let's be honest, 6.5 dollars for a bribe? If any officer would take it, CBP needs to pay their officers more. And if I were a criminal, I certainly wouldn't offer such a nonsensical amount as a bribe. This didn't cost me anything this time other than me not having enough time to return the car with full gas at Detroit airport, and to have to ask for some favors to jump to the front of the lines at security at the airport to make my flight, but the officer's behavior is questionable and I felt confused. I have no proof of it, but I wondered if me being a person of color made a difference. Regardless, CBP, I hope you guys can do better...

I fully understand and respect the importance of border security. However, the manner in which my inspection was conducted felt unnecessarily aggressive and dehumanizing. Officers searched every inch of my car and belongings—something I anticipated and cooperated with fully. The issue arose when, after disassembling my packed vehicle, they attempted to forcibly shut my automatic trunk without repacking the items. This created a risk of damage to both my belongings and the vehicle itself. I had to request permission to rearrange the items myself to prevent interference with the trunk mechanism.

Beyond the physical handling of my property, the overall tone of the interaction was discouraging. The lack of communication, hostile body language, and judgmental demeanor from most officers left me feeling unwelcome. Only one officer extended basic courtesy; the rest treated me with cold detachment despite my respectful and transparent behavior.

This was disappointing given my past positive experiences in Canada. Growing up, I traveled frequently for my brother’s hockey tournaments and always held the country in high regard. Although I had been told that the process had changed, I chose to give the benefit of the doubt. Unfortunately, those concerns proved accurate.

Had I not prepaid for accommodations, I would have returned to the United States...

Why stop me twice because one of your supposedly “professional” officers can’t take the same tone and energy back. Literally felt like I was being discriminated on against by the big older male in his late 40s, basically balding and cheeks in the way to his vision. What is the issue that makes me suspicious because I asked if I was going the correct way. Then to try to falsify the law infront of me like I haven’t been an American citizen born and raised. If that didn’t annoy me enough, I’ll tell you what did; the mansplaining and useless demands that were already happening such as me opening the back window per usual, thanks for telling me to roll it down when it was half way going down already (abuse of power and ego is what I dealt with smh. TEACH YOUR WHITE PATROLERS THAT WHITE SUPREMACY IS UNPROFESSIONAL AND MAKES YOU...