The ACLU of Maine is demanding that Greyhound Bus lines not let federal Customs and Border Patrol agents to “conduct warrantless raids” aboard its buses.
In a letter to Greyhound CEO Dave Leach, the ACLU branches in Maine and eight other states cite reports from across the nation that the bus company routinely lets federal agents question passengers about whether they are in this country legally.
Zachary Heiden, legal director for ACLU Maine, said he’s concerned that agents single out people “because of the color of their skin or their accent,” which he says would violate their constitutional right to equal protection.
“We’re hoping to prevail upon Greyhound and other bus companies to do the right thing,” he told the BDN, adding in a statement, “This sort of show-me-your-papers policing makes all of us less free.”
Heiden said the ACLU is targeting Greyhound because the Dallas-based company has stated that it is “required” to let federal agents board its buses to question passengers. The ACLU disagrees.
Spokeswoman Crystal Booker added that her company “has opened a dialogue” with Border Patrol “to see if there is anything that can be done to balance the enforcement of federal law with the dignity and privacy of our valued customers.”
The County is pleased to feature content from our sister company, Bangor Daily News. To read the rest of “Maine ACLU to Greyhound: Stop letting border agents grill passengers,” an article by contributing Bangor Daily News staff writer Callie Ferguson, please follow this link to the BDN online.
