Any Country Besides the US Routinely Cross-Examine its Own Returning Citizens?
Nov 13, 2014, 10:19 am
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
I think it's all a YMMV situation. I have rarely been asked in the USA questions; I have been asked nothing in Israel; I've been asked many things in South Africa - and I'm sure others have different experiences.
I've also been asked a lot in BRU sometimes as a visitor, and otherwise nothing.
I've also been asked a lot in BRU sometimes as a visitor, and otherwise nothing.
Nov 13, 2014, 2:41 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,410
Dual US/EU citizen here, so a good bit of experience. I think the key difference in my experience is that the EU only asks questions past immigration and in customs, and mainly about what you're carrying.
When I come back into the US, I'm asked at immigration about my actions, what I've done, where I've gone, why I've gone where I've gone, who I went with, who I met, what address I'm going to in the US, etc. And if I deign to get smart with them, that's a 30 minute tear apart of my bags/more thorough interview of my "actions."
EU? Show immigration officer my passport. Receive either pleasantries or a nod and am sent through. I might be stopped going through the green lane and asked to open my bag, but this happens maybe 1 in 50 trips. The end.
When I come back into the US, I'm asked at immigration about my actions, what I've done, where I've gone, why I've gone where I've gone, who I went with, who I met, what address I'm going to in the US, etc. And if I deign to get smart with them, that's a 30 minute tear apart of my bags/more thorough interview of my "actions."
EU? Show immigration officer my passport. Receive either pleasantries or a nod and am sent through. I might be stopped going through the green lane and asked to open my bag, but this happens maybe 1 in 50 trips. The end.
Nov 13, 2014, 6:51 pm
#18
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Trenton, NJ (PHL, EWR)
Programs: A3 Gold, BA Bronze
Posts: 1,633
It's 50/50 for me, either the CBP officer doesn't say a word and I'm through no problem, or they they start asking questions about things. Solo male traveler, early 30s. It seems once they start asking questions they either can't grasp why I took the trip I took, or they take my generic and non-informative answers as being evasive.
Nov 13, 2014, 6:57 pm
#19
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Shanghai
Programs: BAEC (Gold), PC (Plat), HH (Gold), MR (Gold)
Posts: 2,729
This bugs me too. I'm a dual UK/US citizen. I'm routinely asked where I've been and why on entry to the US, which quite frankly should be none of their business. On all of my hundreds of entries to the UK I've never been asked a thing. Which one is meant to be the land of the free? (I can never remember).
Nov 14, 2014, 1:10 am
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
This bugs me too. I'm a dual UK/US citizen. I'm routinely asked where I've been and why on entry to the US, which quite frankly should be none of their business. On all of my hundreds of entries to the UK I've never been asked a thing. Which one is meant to be the land of the free? (I can never remember).
Nov 15, 2014, 5:19 am
#22
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Radisson Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 3,623
If all US citizens refused to answer the corss-examination questions, then they would be forced to change their tactics and just choose people randomly or based on appearance for searches.
Nov 15, 2014, 6:37 am
#23
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: NEXUS/GE
Posts: 521
Nov 15, 2014, 9:50 am
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
Agreed, and I much prefer this system - through granted I don't wait on line in the USA or Israel (kiosks in both places), so it rarely happens that I meet a live officer when returning as a citizen (I don't go to South Africa at all).
Nov 16, 2014, 6:48 pm
#25
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Shanghai
Programs: BAEC (Gold), PC (Plat), HH (Gold), MR (Gold)
Posts: 2,729
But as I'm not its none of their business. If they think I'm bringing something illegal in then search me (and presumably everyone else, and then see where that gets them). Otherwise just stamp my passport and wave me through.
Nov 17, 2014, 3:41 am
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
As I'm sure you recognize, the world doesn't work like that.
And if they were to strip-search you instead of just asking a question, I don't think you'd like that too much either...
Nov 17, 2014, 5:29 am
#27
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Radisson Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 3,623
They are not allowed to strip search travelers unless they have a real suspicion that the traveler is carrying contraband on his/her body, supported by articulable facts.
Nov 17, 2014, 10:39 am
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,746
My point in starting this thread was to find out what various countries are doing.
Undoubtedly routinely questioning returning citizens as the US does might lead to more customs seizures. However, at least in the EU the powers that be have struck a different balance and determined that returning citizens are not routinely questioned, and the questioning is done on a spot check basis leaving the customs hall, and occurs infrequently. The result is that the lines are generally much shorter than at US ports of entry, and returning citizens do not feel harassed.
There have been a number of occasions where I have arrived at EU airports on intra-Schengen flights and there has been no one at the customs desk - even though checked luggage from outside the EU is arriving on the flight.
Undoubtedly routinely questioning returning citizens as the US does might lead to more customs seizures. However, at least in the EU the powers that be have struck a different balance and determined that returning citizens are not routinely questioned, and the questioning is done on a spot check basis leaving the customs hall, and occurs infrequently. The result is that the lines are generally much shorter than at US ports of entry, and returning citizens do not feel harassed.
There have been a number of occasions where I have arrived at EU airports on intra-Schengen flights and there has been no one at the customs desk - even though checked luggage from outside the EU is arriving on the flight.
You say you're not bringing in anything illegal. And if everyone in the world was auto-programmed to only ever say the truth, then they could simply ask: "Do you have anything on you that's illegal OR anything on you that should be reported?" And that would be it.
As I'm sure you recognize, the world doesn't work like that.
And if they were to strip-search you instead of just asking a question, I don't think you'd like that too much either...
As I'm sure you recognize, the world doesn't work like that.
And if they were to strip-search you instead of just asking a question, I don't think you'd like that too much either...
Nov 17, 2014, 10:42 am
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
My point in starting this thread was to find out what various countries are doing.
Undoubtedly routinely questioning returning citizens as the US does might lead to more customs seizures. However, at least in the EU the powers that be have struck a different balance and determined that returning citizens are not routinely questioned, and the questioning is done on a spot check basis leaving the customs hall, and occurs infrequently. The result is that the lines are generally much shorter than at US ports of entry, and returning citizens do not feel harassed.
Undoubtedly routinely questioning returning citizens as the US does might lead to more customs seizures. However, at least in the EU the powers that be have struck a different balance and determined that returning citizens are not routinely questioned, and the questioning is done on a spot check basis leaving the customs hall, and occurs infrequently. The result is that the lines are generally much shorter than at US ports of entry, and returning citizens do not feel harassed.
In Europe, some airports also process less travelers. When arriving at LHR, I frequently find massive lines. ORY as well.
There have been a number of occasions where I have arrived at EU airports on intra-Schengen flights and there has been no one at the customs desk - even though checked luggage from outside the EU is arriving on the flight.
Nov 17, 2014, 12:58 pm
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,746
I have never had to wait more than 10 minutes at AMS or LHR in the EU citizen line. The wait time has particularly decreased at LHR since they put in the automated border gates - which are open to all EU citizens with no pre-registration, and where there is no necessity to speak with an immigration officer or hand it a piece of paper after passing through the gate. I have spent much longer than that at US POEs before I got Global Entry.
I have had to wait ridiculous times at CDG even in the EU citizen lines - of note, in France the automatic border gates are only available with prior application.
You are simply incorrect re the luggage. Checked luggage for passengers coming into Schengen clears customs at the destination airport. That's why they frequently have a separate channel at intra-Schengen customs, which everyone ignores in any event. I don't know what you mean by "scanned", there is no scan for customs that I am aware of.
I have had to wait ridiculous times at CDG even in the EU citizen lines - of note, in France the automatic border gates are only available with prior application.
You are simply incorrect re the luggage. Checked luggage for passengers coming into Schengen clears customs at the destination airport. That's why they frequently have a separate channel at intra-Schengen customs, which everyone ignores in any event. I don't know what you mean by "scanned", there is no scan for customs that I am aware of.
I do not feel harassed when entering the USA (granted I have Global Entry, but even before, I didn't feel harassed).
In Europe, some airports also process less travelers. When arriving at LHR, I frequently find massive lines. ORY as well.
Presumably, because you cleared customs earlier. The fact that bags are there isn't an issue - they were likely scanned anyways. If there had been a problem, you would've dealt with it at port of entry.
In Europe, some airports also process less travelers. When arriving at LHR, I frequently find massive lines. ORY as well.
Presumably, because you cleared customs earlier. The fact that bags are there isn't an issue - they were likely scanned anyways. If there had been a problem, you would've dealt with it at port of entry.