A journalist returning to the United States from Canada was assaulted by a Border Patrol agent this week after attempting to record his encounter.<\/p>\n
The journalist, Rogier van Bakel of Reason.com, was preparing to enter Maine after a short family vacation in Quebec when he was stopped at the Jackman Border Patrol Station.<\/p>\n
Traveling with his two daughters, Bakel says an agent began asking questions after viewing their passports.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey do have their mother\u2019s last name, and they do look somewhat Asian,\u201d Bakel wrote. \u201cI\u2019m white. Maybe he\u2019s curious.\u201d<\/p>\n
After informing the agent of his relation to the girls, Bakel says he was asked if he had \u201cpermission\u201d to travel with his own daughters.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you have a letter with her permission for you to travel with them?\u201d the agent asked.<\/p>\n
Stunned by the question, Bakel asked if he was required to carry such an item, prompting the agent to call for a vehicle search.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe clearly doesn\u2019t appreciate even that tiny bit of pushback,\u201d Bakel noted.<\/p>\n
After being ordered to follow the agent to a nearby building, Bakel says he grabbed his phone and began recording.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor my protection, officer, I\u2019m now recording what\u2019s happening,\u201d Bakel said.<\/p>\n