I was an Other-Than-Permanent (OTP) Immigration Inspector. That's a fancy way of saying Part-Time. Although part-time, it was a fully accredited Federal Law Enforcement Position with the Dept. of Justice. It was not an auxiliary position. I carried the same responsibilities and arrest powers of a full-time Inspector. I had been a part-time Immigration Inspector since 1980. I viewed the responsibilities the same as someone serving in the reserves or National Guard. I was serving my country.
My primary function was to inspect personnel arriving in Southern Maryland from foreign ports. I was independently assigned to the Southern Maryland area under supervision of the Port of Baltimore. Sort of a designated ship inspector.

I attended the OTP IOBC (Immigration Officers Basic Course) in Tucson, AZ in 1993. About 13 years after becoming a part-time inspector. The course was held at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) at Davis-Monthan AFB. Academically I finished 3rd or 4th in the combined two classes.

After 19 years of duty when required, I quit in December of 1999. The responsibilities of my full time job just became too much. I would either have ended up being unfair to my fellow inspectors or to my full-time co-workers. So I did the only proper thing. I relinquished my position. I have left the page up to honor the very fine men and women of the Immigration Service. I was honored to have served with them.

United States Immigration and Naturalization Service.

I would like to add a personal comment regarding the terrible events of Sept. 11, 2001. Finger pointing has already started. "How did it happen? How did they get through Immigration." The truth is, in a free nation such as ours, it's quite easy. The surprise is not that it happened, but rather, why it took so long. The answer to that lies in the dedicated work of the INS, Border Patrol and several other agencies. There have been a few externally caused terrorist calamities. But based on the fanatical fringe idiocy that exists in the world, it's a wonder there were not more. There certainly were scores of attempts. That they failed is the true measure of the successes of the dedicated men and women of the INS. Now the inevitable has finally happened. Of necessity security must become tighter. We, as American Citizens must stand behind and support our INS, Border Patrol and other Federal Law Enforcement Agencies, just as we are finally (and rightfully so) supporting our military.

Background Music: Neil Diamond's Comin' To America

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