I agree that answering the simple question of citizenship does not strip you of your rights. If you were being detained without probable cause, that would be.
I think what these videos make clear is that the checkpoints are not actually unconstitutional but the officers aren’t always quite clear on the law. The police want to put up a front of being in control, but the reality of the situation is that they aren’t.
The supervisors get it but the worker-bees seem to be reluctant to let go of the power trip when confronted with the real limits of their authority. I love the guy that said “I order you to pull over to secondary.” He didn’t really get it.
So even I agree isn’t worth the hassle to avoid answering the simple citizenship question but I love the fact that these guys made the videos. They were sort-of being jerks, but did it to proving a point, and a very important one.
Consider it a reminder to all that these are voluntary check-point after all.
