They have ALOT of power!
With that comes some real pita guys and gals.
Our border with international falls was awesome until 9/11.
I used to cross freely on my bike to work with just a nod and a wave.
The same folks I had grown to know over the years drew guns on me after 9/11 for the exact same thing they had given me permission to do!
I was detained all day. Although i an an american citizen and its my RIGHT to pass the boarder.
They had cops escort me to the I falls courthouse to obtain my birth certificate records(i never used to carry it)
After proving my citizenship to guys that already knew I was american, they continued to detain me.
After 12 or so hours I was denied access(illegally) to enter my own country.
After filling out many forms, I was sent to canadian customs with the police waiting.
More forms, and questions. I knew these guys well and they were shocked.
But the paperwork had to be done so I did it.
I have not crossed the border since. It left me with a very bad taste in my mouth so to speak.