# You know who else used trains? (ICE rant) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 7, 2018, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-else-used-trains-ice-rant/820932 "2018-09-07T06:49:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2018, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-else-used-trains-ice-rant/820932/1 "2018-09-07T06:49:10Z")
Still livid after all these hours. The train comes to a stop in Havre, as it always does. This is number 7, so it stops short of the station because the fuel pumps are on the wrong end of the platform. We sit for about 10 minutes filling up, waiting for a chance to step off for a few minutes when it does get up to the platform. And a bunch of guys in icy green uniforms walk through, asking each passenger, “Are you an American citizen?” It should be noted that Havre is about twenty some miles from the 49th (which one of my map programs now shows as two lines, as much as a thousand feet apart), and ICE has carte blanche 100 miles in from the edges, where most Americans live. This is the area where Chief Joseph made his famous “I will fight no more, forever” speech. But, seriously? Canada? What is this shit (I mean, besides The New “Normal”)? Amtrak is my refuge from strip searches and 3oz limits and stale peanuts. It is the laid-back way to travel, if you have the patience. Now the fuckers want to take even that away from me, because, reasons. Not only can we not have nice things, we are to be denied even so-so things. After all, some crazed Canadians might hijack a train and, uh, something with it. The worst part, though, the part that bothers me the most, is that I replied “yes”. I did not have the presence of mind to stare blankly at him, or say “seriously?”, or the courage to tell him “nothing personal, but fuck off” – which probably would not have been good for anyone, but goddamit, this bullshit has gone off the map. It is past time to start pushing back. ---
**Author:** ![blob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blob/32/489_2.png) [@blob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blob)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2018, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-else-used-trains-ice-rant/820932/2 "2018-09-07T07:06:17Z")
I’m sorry, I don’t understand your story, or where you were, or who these ICE people are? ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2018, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-else-used-trains-ice-rant/820932/3 "2018-09-07T07:07:37Z")
I think the correct response is “MAGA mutherfucker”. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2018, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-else-used-trains-ice-rant/820932/4 "2018-09-07T07:39:03Z")
The southern border is the one where the cages are. You’ll be fine. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2018, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-else-used-trains-ice-rant/820932/5 "2018-09-07T08:21:49Z")
> [@blob](#): > > I’m sorry, I don’t understand your story, or where you were, or who these ICE people are? Amtrak Train 7 is the westbound _Empire Builder_, which runs from Chicago to Seattle (i.e. not crossing the Canadian border at any point). Apparently while the train was stopped in Havre, Montana for refueling, agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) boarded the train to shake it down for illegal immigrants, even though Havre is a considerable distance from the border. My sympathies. Anyone who drives north from McAllen, TX gets the same treatment. There are checkpoints on the two main roads leading north, and everyone gets a once over and, typically, vapid questions like “Are you an American citizen”. One of these days I’m probably going to answer, “Sure, and how about you?” and, like the OP, not do myself any good at all. ---
**Author:** ![blob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blob/32/489_2.png) [@blob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blob)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2018, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-else-used-trains-ice-rant/820932/6 "2018-09-07T09:11:27Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > Amtrak Train 7 is Thank you for the explanation. That sucks, big time. ☹ Why are they doing that? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2018, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-else-used-trains-ice-rant/820932/7 "2018-09-07T09:38:22Z")
Because your current president is a complete moron? ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2018, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-else-used-trains-ice-rant/820932/8 "2018-09-07T13:31:03Z")
> [@Kamino\_Neko](#): > > Because your current president is a complete moron? Nope. A complete moron is our president because a disturbingly large number of Americans don’t understand the basic principles upon which their nation was established, and due to their anti-intellectualism they know so little about Western history and politics to make wise choices and push for sensible standards of government. A large number of us are ignorant, fearful, belligerent, petty fucks and that attitude encourages thugs to seek reins of power in any position from law enforcement to executive office. Narf. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2018, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-else-used-trains-ice-rant/820932/9 "2018-09-07T13:32:50Z")
He is indeed…but IMO a more accurate answer is “because fear.” A brief primer on US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): [A Short, Brutal History of ICE](https://splinternews.com/a-short-brutal-history-of-ice-1822641556) ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2018, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-else-used-trains-ice-rant/820932/10 "2018-09-07T13:41:29Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > The southern border is the one where the cages are. You’ll be fine. [Bad shit can happen at the Canadian border too.](https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/23/us/canada-jogger-detained-us-border/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2018, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-else-used-trains-ice-rant/820932/11 "2018-09-07T14:46:09Z")
These checks have been done at least since shortly after 9/11. Happened under [GWB](https://www.thenation.com/article/terror-inner-border/) and [Obama](https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/article24693124.html) as well. ---
**Author:** ![Zeke\_N.Destroi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/4af34b/32.png) [@Zeke\_N.Destroi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeke_N.Destroi)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2018, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-else-used-trains-ice-rant/820932/12 "2018-09-07T14:53:09Z")
> [@Inigo\_Montoya](#): > > Nope. > … A large number of us are ignorant, fearful, belligerent, petty fucks… And that is just this message board. Now extrapolate to America as a whole. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2018, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-else-used-trains-ice-rant/820932/13 "2018-09-07T15:01:42Z")
“Who wants to know?” ---
**Author:** ![Walmarticus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Walmarticus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walmarticus)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2018, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-else-used-trains-ice-rant/820932/14 "2018-09-07T15:03:59Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > The worst part, though, the part that bothers me the most, is that I replied “yes”. I did not have the presence of mind to stare blankly at him, or say “seriously?”, or the courage to tell him “nothing personal, but fuck off” – which probably would not have been good for anyone, but goddamit, this bullshit has gone off the map. don’t worry about it. You were caught off guard and said the first thing that came to mind. I would have done the same thing. Next time you’ll know what might be coming and will tell him to get fucked properly. Except without that “nothing personal” bullshit I hope. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2018, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-else-used-trains-ice-rant/820932/15 "2018-09-07T15:20:20Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > These checks have been done at least since shortly after 9/11. Happened under [GWB](https://www.thenation.com/article/terror-inner-border/) and [Obama](https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/article24693124.html) as well. No, they have not. I have been on the Empire Builder run back and forth each of the last 8 years. This is the first time I have seen this. They were not even doing it when I took number 8 across in July. There may have been some kind of low-profile walk through or passenger list scrutiny, but this is the first time they have spoken to me, much less everyone. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2018, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-else-used-trains-ice-rant/820932/16 "2018-09-07T16:21:31Z")
> [@Zeke\_N.Destroi](#): > > And that is just this message board. Now extrapolate to America as a whole. Hyuk! Hyuk! Hyuk! Gawl dang you shore is a funny guy! Lemme go fetch my aunt Mom, she has to hear that from you di-rectly! ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2018, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-else-used-trains-ice-rant/820932/17 "2018-09-07T16:35:32Z")
Would these be ICE or CBP agents? ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2018, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-else-used-trains-ice-rant/820932/18 "2018-09-07T16:59:08Z")
> [@Grey](#): > > Would these be ICE or CBP agents? Hydra. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2018, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-else-used-trains-ice-rant/820932/19 "2018-09-07T17:01:12Z")
ICP agents ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2018, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-else-used-trains-ice-rant/820932/20 "2018-09-07T17:15:13Z")
Plus, fuck ICE because it’s just too damn confusing that they’re called the same as German high speed trains ([Intercity-Express](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intercity-Express)), which I think you might even take to Le Havre, France, which made this thread needlessly confusing. For a short while there I thought France was checking for Americans crossing their border… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-else-used-trains-ice-rant/820932.md?page=2)