I don't know where to post my experience but I wanted to share

[indiana_sweetie 120]

I'm curious to know if any other US citizens have had this experience when returning to the USA. Just to be clear, I am not referring to the random search. I am aware of that. My daughter had her luggage opened and searched at LAX when returning from Australia a few years ago.

Ok, here is what happened. I was returning from Europe the beginning of October (visit to hubby), landed at Chicago O'Hare. Two smiling CBP lady officers were there right as the passengers were exiting the plane, looking at everyone's passport. The nice little lady with gray hair and a gun who could probably clean my clock said to me, "You have been selected for a random search, follow me." So I followed her. She was pleasant and I am by nature a friendly person. So it was easy for us to talk.

So we get to the luggage opening part. Two young women wearing disposable gloves open everything and go through it all. At the same time the officer lady is asking me questions. "Where did you go?" "Why did you go?" "Oh, to visit your husband?" "How long were you there?" "How did you meet him?" "When did you meet him?" "When did you get married?" "Oh, last year...when where you there last year?" "How long did you stay?" NOTE---CBP office is writing this all down on the customs form!! Young girls find my camera---oh, here's the camera---they turn it on, start tabbing through pictures, smiling they show it to the officer---"Is this you and your husband?" (me--yes) "You are a good looking couple" (me--thank you) "Is this his mother?" (me--yes) "Who are these other people with the baby?" (me---his brother and his wife and their baby) "How much money did you carry when you left?" "How much money did you have when you returned?" (me--same amount it was only a few dollars---note: yes I understand this question) "You went to Europe with only xx dollars??" (me---yes, I used my credit card) Officer writes "CC" on the customs form. "Is your husband immigrating?" (me---yes, I brought back papers for the lawyer) "When do you think he will come here?" (me---not sure but I hope by the end of the year) By the time they were done and I managed to stuff my tussled belongings back into my suitcase I felt like I had been through my husband's visa interview!!!

So---is this normal, to question the US citizen to this extent? And what do you suppose will be done with all the notes she took? I am wondering if my hubby with have visa interview # 2 when he eventually gets here?

[TBoneTX 46,118]

*** Thread moved from CR-1 Process forum to General Immigration Discussion -- OP fears that her travel experience will affect husband's visa process. ***

[PuppyLove 24]

I can't say if it's exactly normal but it happened to me too. I was leaving to visit my husband and they stopped me for extra screening during the boarding process. When I returned home a few days later I was pulled aside again and that time they went through my laptop too. They asked me most of the same questions they asked you and I am a US Citizen too. When I asked them why they are asking so many questions and going through all my things I was informed that they would like to do this for every flight but they just don't have enough workers

[N-o-l-a 7,168]

I had it done to me when I came back from Mexico once with going through everything in my luggage (I had been there for a summer).

I do get asked a ton of questions whenever I return to the US or enter Canada. I don't know why that is, but I never get asked any questions entering Europe.

It took 20 minutes once crossing back from Canada to Maine at a not so popular crossing. The CBP guy just keep asking more questions and went back in to the building to check our paperwork.

Edited December 9, 2012 by Nola123

[Xanax 349]

I believe random searches can be done on anyone. I had one at LAX. Though it was not as extensive if the questioning they certainly went through all of my stuff!

[indiana_sweetie 120]

I believe random searches can be done on anyone. I had one at LAX. Though it was not as extensive if the questioning they certainly went through all of my stuff!

Yes, that is true, and she was polite and made sure I understood that. However the extent of the questioning made me wonder if that was normal, especially for a returning USC

*** Thread moved from CR-1 Process forum to General Immigration Discussion -- OP fears that her travel experience will affect husband's visa process. ***

Thanks for moving it to the correct forum.

[reese1 68]

I have been through this before with all of the questions, I was there for over 30 mins. But they were very polite and did try and help me put my stuff back in my bags.

[indiana_sweetie 120]

Thank you everyone for the feedback. Now my question is, why does the CBP feel the need to ask a USC so many personal questions? I mean, when, where and how we met and when we got married has nothing to do with smuggling or drugs. Honestly it felt like a visa interview, not that I've been through one, but just sayin...

[indiana_sweetie 120]

Oh....I guess this explains it: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/176

Under "CBP Search Authority"

"At times, people make the mistake of thinking their civil rights are being violated by being asked questions about their trip, personal background and history, etc. That is not the case. Supreme Court decisions have upheld the doctrine that CBP's search authority is unique and does not violate the fourth amendment's protection against unreasonable searches and seizures."

[hikergirl 277]

Thank you everyone for the feedback. Now my question is, why does the CBP feel the need to ask a USC so many personal questions? I mean, when, where and how we met and when we got married has nothing to do with smuggling or drugs. Honestly it felt like a visa interview, not that I've been through one, but just sayin...

It may not seem that it's pertinent, but a drug mule or other type of smuggler, wouldn't normally have a detailed background story.

Their story about visiting a "husband" or "boyfriend" would fall apart rather quickly with those kind of questions.

[Jahwaree 83]

I once had to take my G/daughter to JFK to turn her over to flt attendant she would travel with, I got boarding pass for her and authorization to

go thru security everything was fine for her (age 8)and then I was asked to go to a room to be searched (had no prob with that wanted my offspring safe...right)

so I pleasantly follow them while my frightened G/child stood there bewildered,so I asked the young lady if am not going no furthur than here Y? her answer was when they ask me who packed her luggage my answer was I did, so am being checked as I was luggage packer...go figure...but I have no qualms with safety. I

think part of it is paranonia, power at the ports,genuine threats & safety concerns and an additional feature thown into the mix to vett those coming in thru

spouse and family interogation...is it justified ...maybe at times.

[rlogan 2,036]

So---is this normal, to question the US citizen to this extent?

yes, not only that but more than once they have demanded I open up my computer, turn it on, and let them cruise through it demanding to know who the people were in my pictures and where they were taken. Demanding I show them examples of my work, if I am doing work overseas.

I was getting pretty annoyed with the computer search one time and the B.S. jealousy for how I must have a lot of money to be able to afford going to the Philippines for so long, or could keep a job doing it.

The guy across from me though started objecting to their questions, and WOW - I was immediatly dismissed and every agent in the place swarmed him with some coming out of a room at the side. They took him out of line and into another room where he was really put through the wringer. A couple hours later I saw him in the airport, waiting on his domestic flight, so I asked him what happened. He was really shaken up. While they were harassing and intimidating him they were telling him how much better the USA is than any other country which is B.S. of the first order. I have been to dozens of countries and the USA is the most difficult even though I am a citizen. No other country has ever looked at my computer. They almost never check my bags, and when they do it is a really superficial search.

[islandgal 74]

Random searches are normal.

[AmyWrites 593]

I think I'd go crazy if they looked through my computer.

I was once questioned for a while, but they never checked my camera or phone or computer.

[Dirk 30]

I was searched to the 10th degree at boarder crossing at the BC state if Washington boarder, the searched the car, looked at my camera as well. You were not singled out.....