I’d suspect that this started before 9/11/2001 — I remember a “Border” checkpoint on the 5 near Camp Pendleton when I was there with family in the late 90s.[/quote]
Yes, that is the “San Onofre checkpoint” and it, along with the northbound “Rainbow checkpoint” on I-15 are much more sophisticated in that they have computers which can quickly scan front license plates passing thru and detain those that are on law enforcement “hotlists,” wanted lists and AMBER alerts. Both have been in place for at least 35 years (although not as efficient as today).
I’m sure “racial profiling” occurs on these checkpoints (to some degree), likely mostly to the drivers/passengers of those vehicles bearing Baja plates and other Mexican plates.
The checkpoints along I-8 and I-10 are “makeshift” and entirely portable, without all the sophisticated equipment of the I-5/I-15 checkpoints. In addition, they are typically situated in the middle of nowhere.
If you travel months apart, you may notice that one or more of these east/west checkpoints along the SW border have “moved” miles down the road.
