Special Alien Registration

I have now become a “special alien” if I visit the US. What does it mean? It means each time I enter or exit the US, I have to go for secondary security check. Why do I become a “special alien”? Honestly, I don’t know. The officer said: “Because you are on ‘the list’. I cannot tell you more. It’s confidential”.

This “special alien” thing has caused problems to me. Last Thursday, I was planning to fly to the US; but I missed the flight. I was stuck at the registration area because the line-up was so long.

Yesterday, I went to the airport for the second chance. I was lucky this time. The line-up was not that bad; and finally I arrived in the US. The problem came on the way back to Vancouver. My flight was from San Francisco to Vancouver via Seattle. I went to the registration area at San Francisco airport. They rejected me because my last port is Seattle. I have to register myself in Seattle.

Arriving in Seattle around 9 pm, I ran away to the registration area. Guess what…. the office closed at 4 pm. What did I do? I just knocked the door. An officer opened the door with angry face. He asked why I came there. I said I need to register before going out from the US. He said the office has closed already. I know it is closed; but how can I register then?

Isn’t it ridiculous? They asked us to register in person before departing from the US; but some registration offices, like the one in Seattle, are closed at 4 pm. What should we do if we have a connecting flight, like my case? I have asked this question to the officer and he just said, “You don’t understand. This office is closed at 4 pm”.

Oh boy….