Originally Posted by
ESpen36
When doing MRs to/from overseas locations, you might have to answer questions from immigration and/or customs officials, or from CBP officers upon returning to the USA. The best advice I can give is to:
A) tell the truth (NEVER lie)
B) answer using as few words as possible (and do not volunteer information)
Absolutely the best advice. ^
Some of the funniest exchanges I have tend to be at the US-Canada border. I just transited via Montreal and the exchange went like this:
"Where do you live?" Chicago.
"What brings you here?" Flight connection.
"Where did you travel to?" India.
"What was the purpose of the visit?" Seeing family.
"Did you bring any food?" No.
"None?" None.
"How much cash are you carrying?" About $50.
At this he was satisfied that the United States will survive my entry.
Last time, at the Seattle land crossing, the guy asked, "Did you come
all the way to Canada for two days?" I was tempted to point out that the next door neighbor is hardly an "all the way" place like Hong Kong or Australia. But I just replied "Yes".