i went to the good ol US Embassy yesterday to get more pages for my passport, and i witnessed some pretty appalling behavior on the part of a staff member there.
in the consular section, khmers had to approach a certain window if they wanted to get married or apply for sponsorship.
a woman sat on the other side behind glass and screamed questions and insults into a microphone. everyone in the waiting room could hear--- from her laughingly asking a man if he was gay because "what's up with the earring you're wearing?" (this guy was applying for a marriage license) to questioning the amount of money that another woman's husband sends her each month from the US.
another young khmer woman was interrogated about her relationship with her husband and then berated for not finishing high school. I believe the official's words were, "SO, let me get the straight--- you're not even educated and you just want to marry this american guy?"
i've heard some horror stories about asshole american immigration officials in airports but i've never seen this sort of power trip/public humiliation routine before. i understand the necessity of "sifting through" folks who are applying to enter the country, but i question the demeaning and public way it's done.
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